Risk of major complications following thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy: Utility of the NSQIP surgical risk calculator

Background

The primary objective of this study was to determine rates of reoperation, ED visits, and hospital readmission after thyroid and parathyroid surgery at a tertiary hospital. A secondary objective was to determine if scores from the American College of Surgeons Surgical Risk Calculator (ACS SRC) predicted these events.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients undergoing parathyroid and thyroid surgery between 2011 and 2014. Patients who underwent an unplanned reoperation, returned to the ED, or were readmitted to hospital were evaluated using the ACS SRC.

Results

436 patients underwent thyroid and parathyroid operations. Rates of re-operations, ED visits and hospital readmissions after thyroid and parathyroid surgery were: 3.4%, 0.6% and 3.0% and 2.2%, 0% and 1.4%, respectively. 71% of patients who experienced post-operative complications scored below average on the ACS SRC, 17% scored above average and 12% scored average risk.

Conclusions

The SRC did not predict re-operation, ED visits, or hospital readmission after thyroid or parathyroid operations.