Thyroidectomy in patients with a high BMI: a safe surgery?

Objective: To study and compare the specific postoperative complications of thyroidectomy in a population with a BMI >= 25 with a population having a BMI below 25. Design: A prospective study was carried out from September 2010 to January 2013. Methods: Postoperative calcemia, laryngeal mobility, bleeding or infectious complications, postoperative hospital stay, and operation time were studied and compared statistically by a chi(2)-test or Student's t-test. Results: A total of 240 patients underwent total thyroidectomy and 126 underwent a partial thyroidectomy. Of them, 168 patients had a BMI below 25 and 198 patients had a BMI >= 25. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of early or permanent hypoparathyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, bleeding complications, or postoperative duration of hospital stay. There was, however, a significant operative time in patients with a BMI >= 25. Conclusion: Despite the longer operative time, thyroidectomy (total or partial) can be performed safely in patients with a BMI >= 25.