FUNCTIONAL AND ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN TRACHEAL DYNAMICS AFTER TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY FOR LARGE MULTINODULAR GOITER: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY chorange2404@gmail.com

PW06-02

FUNCTIONAL AND ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN TRACHEAL DYNAMICS AFTER TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY FOR LARGE MULTINODULAR GOITER: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

7

Greece

Oral or Poster

Large multinodular goiters can lead to tracheal compression, often without overt symptoms. While total thyroidectomy is commonly performed for decompression, its functional respiratory impact remains underexplored.

We conducted a prospective observational study including 22 patients with multinodular goiters (>200 mL), without comorbidities or smoking history. Tracheal dimensions were assessed using high-resolution CT, and inspiratory spirometry was performed before and six months after total thyroidectomy. Parameters measured included tracheal diameter and deviation, FIVC, FIV1, FIV1/FIVC ratio, PIF, and FIF25–75.

Postoperative imaging showed a 26% increase in mean tracheal diameter (from 9.4 ± 1.5 mm to 11.9 ± 1.7 mm, p < 0.001) and a 70% reduction in tracheal deviation (from 6.7 ± 3.2 mm to 2.1 ± 1.3 mm). Spirometry revealed a 16% rise in FIVC and a 12% rise in FIV1, while PIF and mid-inspiratory flows (FIF25–75) also improved significantly. These changes reflect both structural decompression and improved upper airway function.

The findings demonstrate significant postoperative improvement in tracheal diameter and alignment, accompanied by measurable increases in key inspiratory flow and volume parameters, supporting the functional benefit of total thyroidectomy in tracheal decompression.