Surgical Management of Substernal Goiters: Clinical Experience of 170 Cases

Purpose To discuss the presentation, diagnosis, treatment, histopathological findings, and complications of patients who underwent thyroidectomy for substernal goiter in our surgical clinic.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 170 patients with substernal goiters among 2650 patients undergoing surgical treatment for various thyroid diseases between 1990 and 2003. We evaluated the clinical data, preoperative diagnostic findings, surgical treatments, histopathological results, and postoperative complications.Results The most common symptoms were a cervical mass (88%) and dyspnea (35%), but 26% of the patients were asymptomatic. Chest radiography provided the first evidence of a substernal goiter in 77% of the patients. We performed total or near total thyroidectomy and operated through a cervical incision in all but 12 of the patients. There was no operative mortality but 12 (7%) patients suffered temporary hypoparathyroidism and 4 suffered transient vocal cord paralysis (2%). Malignancy was diagnosed by histopathological examination in 22 (13%) patients.Conclusion We think that the diagnosis of a substernal goiter is an indication for thyroidectomy, which is associated with very low postoperative morbidity.     

Predictors of airway complications after thyroidectomy for substernal goiter

HYPOTHESIS: Airway complications after thyroidectomy for substernal goiter can be predicted by preoperative symptom profiles, radiologic findings, or other factors. DESIGN: Retrospective review.Settings A university tertiary care center and a veterans' hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty patients with substernal goiter who underwent thyroidectomy between 1993 and 2002. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptoms, preoperative radiologic findings, extent of thyroid resection, tumor size, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Dysphagia was the most common preoperative symptom (n = 26), followed by dyspnea (n = 21), orthopnea (n = 13), and hoarseness (n = 6); 18 patients (30%) had superior vena caval obstruction. Thirteen patients (22%) were asymptomatic. Preoperative imaging identified tracheal deviation or compression in 45 patients (75%). Substernal goiter was resected via a cervical approach in 59 patients (98%). Of 47 patients with preoperative symptoms, 41 (87%) reported improvement postoperatively. Seven patients (12%) had postoperative airway complications: 1 developed a neck hematoma requiring reoperation, and 6 could not be immediately extubated; all 6 were successfully extubated after 1 to 10 days. Patients with airway complications were older (mean +/- SEM, 70.3 +/- 3.6 years vs 61.5 +/- 2.2 years), had larger goiters (mean +/- SEM, 210.7 +/- 37.0 g vs 112.2 +/- 7.7 g), and were more likely to have tracheal compression on preoperative imaging than those who did not have complications (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with substernal goiters underwent thyroid resection via a cervical approach with an improvement in symptoms. The few patients who developed postoperative airway complications were older, had larger goiters, and were more likely to have tracheal compression on preoperative imaging than those without airway complications.     

Surgical treatment of substernal goiter: An analysis of 59 patients

PURPOSE: Substernal goiter is defined as a thyroid mass of which more than 50% is located below the thoracic inlet. In this article we report the diagnosis, symptoms, thyroid function, treatment, and postoperative complications of 59 patients with substernal goiter. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2005, 59 patients underwent surgery for substernal goiter at our institution. The indications for surgery were multinodular goiter in 46 cases, follicular adenoma in two cases, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis in one case. Ten patients were operated on for recurrent thyroid disease. RESULTS: The leading preoperative symptoms were dyspnea (49.2%), dysphagia (13.6%), hyperhidrosis (10.2%), and cardiac dysfunction (6.8%). All but two thyroid glands could be removed through a Kocher transverse collar incision. The most common postoperative complications were persistent (5.1%) or temporary (3.4%) paresis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, transient hypocalcemia (3.4%), and hematoma (3.4%). A tracheotomy was required in one patient with bilateral vocal cord paresis (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS: (1) We conclude that a subtotal thyroidectomy is also the treatment of choice for asymptomatic benign substernal goiter. (2) Transverse collar incision should be the standard approach for most patients. (3) The visual identification of at least two parathyroid glands is essential to prevent permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism.     

颈部低领状切口治疗胸骨后甲状腺肿21例体会

目的探讨颈部低领状切口治疗胸骨后甲状腺肿的疗效。方法回顾分析我科1998年1月至2006年12月收治的21例位于胸骨后甲状腺肿的临床表现、诊断及治疗。结果手术过程顺利，术中出血少。手术后除1例发生暂时性声嘶外，无其他严重并发症发生。结论颈部低颈状切口较易暴露甲状腺下极，有利于进行甲状腺手术，同时有美容效果。     

胸骨后甲状腺肿的诊断与手术治疗

目的 分析胸骨后甲状腺肿的临床表现,比较各种诊断方法的敏感性、特异性,总结手术治疗要点和病理类型.方法 回顾性分析2001年-2005年间59例经手术治疗的胸骨后甲状腺肿患者的临床资料.结果 本组中胸骨后甲状腺肿主要表现为无症状颈部肿物(39例),其他表现包括憋气13例、甲亢症状4例、声音嘶哑3例、哽咽感3例、饮水呛咳1例等.胸片、B超、CT及核素显像对胸骨后甲状腺肿诊断的敏感性分别为:62.8%,15.8%,85.7%和50.0%;特异性分别为99.4%,99.8%,99.5%和99.0%.57例胸骨后甲状腺肿经颈切除,1例颈胸联合切除,1例开胸切除.术后病理:结节性甲状腺肿48例,Grave's病1例,腺瘤2例,甲状腺癌8例.结论 CT、胸片是胸骨后甲状腺肿诊断敏感性较高的检查方法,绝大多数胸骨后甲状腺肿可经颈部完成切除.     

Forgotten mediastinal goiter: seven cases]

The authors relate their experience with 7 cases of mediastinal goiter residual to a subtotal thyroidectomy for substernal goiter. The differential diagnosis with ordinary recurrence was based on the absence of connection with the cervical remnant. The reasons for surgical decision-making was mediastinal compression in 4 patients, hyperthyroidism in 1 patient and absent diagnosis in 1 patient; surgery was systematic in 1 asymptomatic patient. Sternal splitting incision was required in 6 patients: alone in 3, associated with cervical incision in 3 others; excision by an exclusively cervical route was possible in one patient. No malignancy was discovered. Postoperative outcome was uncomplicated in all patients. The residual goiter has the same clinical and paraclinical presentation as the ordinary intrathoracic goiter; treatment should be principally surgical for the same reasons. Nevertheless, for this mediastinal tumor, sternum-splitting incision will be required in most cases.     

胸骨后甲状腺肿18例手术治疗分析

目的探讨胸骨后甲状腺肿的外科手术治疗。方法回顾1995年1月至2006年12月期间手术治疗胸骨后甲状腺肿患者18例，其中16例行颈部低领式切口、2例行颈部低领式切口＋胸骨劈开入路切除胸骨后甲状腺肿。结果18例患者接受手术均获得成功，结节性甲状腺肿10例，甲状腺腺瘤5例，甲状腺炎3例，术后并发症发生率11．11％（2／18），无死亡。结论经颈部低领式切口切除胸骨后甲状腺肿是可行的，具有损伤小，操作简单，并发症少的优点。     

The “forgotten” goiter after total thyroidectomy

INTRODUCTION“Forgotten” goiter is an extremely rare disease which is defined as a mediastinal thyroid mass found after total thyroidectomy.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe report two cases with forgotten goiter. One underwent total thyroidectomy due to thyroid papillary cancer and TSH level was in normal range one month after surgery. The thyroid scintigraphy scan revealed mediastinal thyroid mass. The second case underwent total thyroidectomy due to Graves’ disease and TSH level was low after surgery. At postoperative seventh year, patients were admitted to our Endocrinology Division due to persistent hyperthyroidism and CT scan revealed forgotten thyroid at mediastinum. Both patients underwent median sternotomy and mass excision, there was no morbidity detected after second surgical procedures.DISCUSSIONIn the majority of cases forgotten goiter is the consequence of the incomplete removal of a plunging goiter. Although in some cases, it may be attributed to a concomitant, unrecognized mediastinal goiter which is not connected to the thyroid with a thin fibrous band or vessels. Absence of signs like mediastinal mass or tracheal deviation in preoperative chest X-ray do not excluded the substernal goiter.CONCLUSIONRetrosternal goiter should be suspected if the lower poles could not be palpated on physical examination and when postoperative TSH levels remained unchanged.     

Forgotten goiter: Diagnosis and management. A case report and literature review

IntroductionA mediastinal thyroid mass discovered years after a total thyroidectomy represents an unusual and uncommon clinical situation. Few cases have been reported and controversy exists regarding the etiology of this ectopic thyroid tissue as well as the optimal surgical approach for resection. We herein describe a case of a mediastinal thyroid goiter discovered five years after a total thyroidectomy.Presentation of caseA 54-year-old Hispanic female was diagnosed with a diffuse cervical goiter secondary to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and subsequently underwent a total thyroidectomy. Five years later the patient had a chest X-ray as part of a preoperative evaluation for an unrelated and elective surgical procedure. Significant tracheal deviation was identified. A computed tomography scan was obtained and demonstrated a well encapsulated mass in the superior mediastinum resulting in tracheal deviation and compression. This “forgotten” goiter was successfully resected utilizing a standard cervical approach and the patient recovered uneventfully.DiscussionA thyroid mass within the mediastinum following a total thyroidectomy is a condition often referred to as “forgotten goiter”. Prior reported cases are few, and data is limited, with some uncertainty remaining as to the exact origin of this ectopic thyroid tissue. Possible etiologies include an incomplete removal of the thyroid gland during initial cervical thyroidectomy, or perhaps an autonomous intrathoracic goiter (AIG) – a thyroid gland located in the mediastinum, independent and with no parenchymatous or vascular connection with the cervical thyroid gland.ConclusionA trans-thoracic or sternal splitting approach is generally not required for resection of a mediastinal goiter and our experience confirms that the case of the “forgotten goiter” can be safely approached through a cervical incision as well.     

Substernal goiter. Analysis of 80 patients from Massachusetts General Hospital

Eighty patients at the Massachusetts General Hospital underwent resection of substernal goiter in the years 1976 to 1982. Mean age of the 50 women and 30 men was 56 years, and 10 (19 percent) had undergone prior thyroid surgery. The most common symptoms were cervical mass (69 percent), dysphagia (33 percent), and dyspnea (28 percent); 13 percent were asymptomatic. On examination, cervical mass was present in most (90 percent) but not all patients, 51 percent were obese, and more than one third had tracheal deviation. Fifty-one of 52 patients tested were euthyroid and one was mildly hypothyroid. Chest radiographs showed tracheal deviation in 79 percent and soft tissue mass in 56 percent. Seventy-eight patients underwent resection through a cervical collar incision only; one had cervical incision plus upper partial sternotomy; and one required cervical incision plus full median sternotomy. Pathologic examination revealed multinodular goiter in 41 (51 percent), follicular adenoma in 35 (44 percent), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 4 (5 percent). Mean goiter weight was 104 g, and the mean greatest dimension was 9 cm. Occult papillary carcinoma was found in two patients. There were no deaths or major complications. Analysis of our data indicate the following: (1) Substernal goiter may exist in the absence of symptoms or signs. (2) Extensive radiologic evaluation and thyroid function testing are rarely required. (3) With rare exceptions, substernal goiter represents an extension of a cervical growth through the thoracic inlet and can be approached through a cervical collar incision. (4) Histologically, these are multinodular goiters or follicular adenomas, although Hashimoto's thyroiditis may occur. (5) Given the small but present risks of acute stridor or occult malignancy and the negligible surgical risk, operation should be recommended. (6) Patients should be followed since, with or without levothyroxine, goiters may recur.     

Surgical strategies in cervico-mediastinal goiters

AIM: We retrospectively studied clinical picture, diagnosis, treatment and complications of patients with cervico-mediastinal goiter who underwent surgery. METHODS: Sixty-three patients underwent surgical treatment for cervico-mediastinal goiter in the last 10 years. Thirty-two patients (50.8%) had cervico-mediastinal goiter, 24 patients (33.3%) had mediastino-cervical goiter and 7 patients (11.1%) had mediastinal goiter. Forty-seven cases were prevascular goiters and 16 were retrovascular goiters. We performed total thyroidectomy in 25 patients, subtotal thyroidectomy in 31 patients and in 7 cases the resection of residual goiter. In 50 patients we used a cervical approach, in 12 patients the cervical incision was combined with median sternotomy (6 in total) and in 1 patient with transverse sternotomy. RESULTS: Three patients (4.7%) died in the postoperative period (2 cardio-respiratory failure and 1 pulmonary embolism). The histologic study revelead 5 (7.9%) carcinomas. Postoperative complications were: dyspnea in 7 cases (11.1%), transient vocal cord paralysis in 5 patients (7.9%), temporary hypoparathyroidism in 6 patients (9.5%) and kidney failure in 1 case (1.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Cervicotomy is the approach of choice but in some limited cases (carcinoma, thyroiditis, retrovascular goiter, ectopic goiter) the sternotomy should be performed. Postoperative mortality and morbidity is very low, independent of surgical techniques.     

Operative management of substernal goiter: analysis of 52 patients

Thyroid surgery for substernal goiter is an uncommon operation. This study was carried out to evaluate the clinical presentation, workup, surgical complications, and risk of malignancy for substernal goiter. From January 1995 to June 2001, 52 patients [27 men and 25 women (ratio, 1.1:1); average age of 52 years (range, 26-71 years)] underwent thyroid surgery for substernal goiter at Akdeniz University Hospital. All patients were symptomatic at presentation. A chest radiograph was used for most patients with a computed tomography scan being by far the most helpful in the study. A cervical approach was adequate for resection of the lesions in 50 (96%) patients. Two (4%) patients required medial sternotomy for removal of thyroid tissue. There was no perioperative mortality. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy occurred in 2 (4%) patients, and permanent RLN occurred in 2 (4%) patients. The incidence of transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism was 8% and 6%, respectively. Other complications included wound infection in 2 (4%) patients and postoperative bleeding in 1 patient (2%). Histopathologically, 46 (88%) lesions were benign and 6 (12%) were malignant. Because the history of substernal goiter is progressive enlargement, surgical removal of thyroid tissue is always indicated and should be performed as soon as possible, unless there are contraindications for surgery. Cervical collar incision is nearly always adequate, with few exceptions.     

Substernal goiter

The literature on substernal goiter from the seventeenth century to the present is reviewed. Substernal goiter may be defined as any thyroid enlargement that has its greater mass inferior to the thoracic inlet. Truly ectopic mediastinal goiters are rare, and most substernal goiters arise from and maintain some attachment to the cervical thyroid gland. Patients are generally in the fifth decade of life, and women predominate. Most patients experience dyspnea, stridor, or dysphagia, but 15 to 50% are asymptomatic; symptoms are often positional, and acute stridor may occur. Ten to twenty percent have no cervical mass or tracheal deviation on examination, and virtually all patients are euthyroid. Standard chest roentgenograms are often diagnostic, but computed tomographic or radioactive iodine scans may be helpful. The presence of a substernal goiter in all but the highest-risk patients is an indication for resection, usually through a cervical collar incision; an occasional patient will require sternotomy or thoracotomy. Death or major complications should be rare postoperatively. Substernal goiters are adenomatous and benign, but carcinoma occurs in 2 to 3% and may be occult. Patients should be followed closely, as these goiters may recur.     

Substernal thyroidectomy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality as compared with conventional cervical thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: Although recent single-institution series have reported low morbidity and zero mortality after substernal thyroidectomy, a direct comparison of outcomes between substernal thyroidectomy and conventional cervical thyroidectomy has not been performed. We hypothesized that substernal thyroidectomy would be associated with higher morbidity and mortality as compared with cervical thyroidectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Data were extracted from the New York State Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database for the years 1998 to 2004. The primary predictor variable was substernal as compared with cervical thyroidectomy. Outcomes variables included postoperative complications, length of stay, and mortality. Multiple logistic regression was used to access the independent effects of substernal thyroidectomy on postoperative outcome. RESULTS: A total of 33,930 patients underwent thyroidectomy, 1,153 (3.4%) of whom underwent substernal thyroidectomy. Compared with patients who underwent cervical thyroidectomy (n=32,777), patients who underwent substernal thyroidectomy were older (p<0.0001), more likely to have a comorbid condition (p<0.0001), more likely to be men (p<0.0001), more likely to lack private insurance (p<0.0001), more likely to undergo total thyroidectomy (p<0.0001), less likely to undergo thyroidectomy for malignancy (p<0.0001), and less likely to undergo thyroidectomy at a high-volume center (p=0.001). After controlling for these covariates, patients who underwent substernal thyroidectomy were considerably more likely to experience recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (p=0.0002), postoperative bleeding (p=0.004), deep venous thrombosis (p=0.0002), and respiratory failure (p<0.0001), and were more likely to receive a red blood cell transfusion (p<0.0001). Patients who underwent substernal thyroidectomy also had a considerably increased length of stay (p<0.0001), and more than an eightfold increase in likelihood of mortality (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Substernal thyroidectomy, as compared with cervical thyroidectomy, is associated with a markedly increased likelihood of both postoperative complications and mortality.     

Minimally invasive video-assisted approach for partial and total thyroidectomy

Background: We report our initial experience with partial and total thyroidectomy using a video-assisted approach. The feasibility, safety, and potential benefits of this technique are examined. Methods: Between January and May 2000, 28 patients were select to undergo a thyroid lobectomy (n = 17) or total thyroidectomy (n = 11) by a video-assisted cervical approach. Patient selection was based on clinical examination and preoperative ultrasonography. The surgical procedures were conducted under general anesthesia through a minimal substernal skin incision. Frozen sections were examined peroperatively in all cases. Results: The initial diagnosis was solitary nodule in 19 patients and multinodular goiter in 8 patients. One patient was treated for hyperthyroidism. The mean cranio-caudal axis and transverse diameter of the resected specimen were 4.9 ± 0.9 and 2.7 ± 0.5 cm, respectively, and the mean total lobar weight was 11.9 ± 5.5 g. Conversion to conventional surgery was required in three patients (10.7%), due to local bleeding in all cases. The mean operative times were 150 ± 8.2 and 102.5 ± 17 min for total and partial thyroidectomy, respectively. The laryngeal nerve was identified in 94.8% of cases. The mean length of skin incision was 25.4 ± 2 mm. There was one case of postoperative hypocalcemia and one case of postoperative hoarseness. One patient had a transient vocal cord palsy. The postoperative hospital stay was 1 day for 66.7% of patients. The pain intensity evaluation, performed on postoperative day 1 using the visual analogue scale (VAS) method, was 1.9 ± 1.4. Conclusion: Video-assisted thyroidectomy is feasible, safe, and effective in selected cases. Benefits for the patients in terms of postoperative pain, hospital stay, and cosmesis still need to be assessed in a prospective trial comparing standard open and video-assisted approaches.     

Best Approach for Posterior Mediastinal Goiter Removal: Transcervical Incision and Lateral Thoracotomy

Surgical removal of intrathoracic goiter can be performed by a cervical approach in the majority of patients. Review of literature shows that experienced surgeons need to perform an extracervical approach in 2–3% of cases. In spite of surgical management of substernal goiter is well defined, there is little available information about surgical approach of intrathoracic goiters extending beyond the aortic arch into the posterior mediastinum. We report two cases and propose combination of cervical incision and muscle-sparing lateral thoracotomy for posterior mediastinal goiter removal. In such cases, we do not favor sternotomy as posterior mediastinum is inaccessible due to the presence of heart and great vessels anterior to the thyroidal mass that would lead to perform a perilous blind dissection. Based on our experience, transcervical and thoracotomy approach is indicated for a complete and safe posterior mediastinal goiter removal.     

Mediastinoscopy vs. anterior mediastinotomy in the diagnosis of mediastinal lymphoma: a randomized trial.

We selected 95 patients with mediastinal adenopathy and no signs of goiter, myasthenia gravis or mediastinal involvement by other disease. All patients underwent, for screening purposes, transthoracic fine needle aspiration biopsy based on chest x-ray and CT findings. Patients were then subdivided into 4 groups. One group of 22 patients with prevalent anterior mass localization underwent anterior mediastinotomy. One group of 19 patients with prevalent middle mediastinal mass localization underwent cervical mediastinoscopy. Two other groups of 27 patients each with both anterior and middle mediastinum localization randomly underwent anterior mediastinotomy or mediastinoscopy. Fifty-one Hodgkin's and 44 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were diagnosed in total. In 11 cases (11.57%), median sternotomy (2) or thoracotomy (9) were necessary for establishing the final diagnosis. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 80.43% for cervical mediastinoscopy and 95.91% for anterior mediastinotomy. The statistical analysis performed on all patients showed a significant difference (chi 2 = 5.56, P less than 0.025, df = 1) between the two procedures.     

Surgical treatment of substernal goiters

Fifty-one patients (4.6%) underwent resection of a substernal goiter in a fifteen-year period during the course of 1103 thyroidectomies. Forty-eight (94.2%) goiters were benign and three (5.8%) malignant. Mean age was 55 years. Female:male ratio was 2:1. Four patients (7.8%) had undergone prior thyroid surgery. Most had long-standing goiters (mean duration: 15 years). The most common symptoms included airway compression (56.8%), hoarseness (13.7%), dysphagia (11.7%), superior vena cava syndrome (9.8%). Twelve patients (23.5%) were asymptomatic. Chest X-rays showed a tracheal deviation and/or a mediastinal mass in 43 patients (84.3%). Goiter extended into the right mediastinum in 28 patients (54.9%), into the left in 19 (37.2%), and bilaterally in three (5.8%). A cervical collar incision provided adequate exposure in 42 cases (82.3%). Five patients (9.8%) required a cervical incision plus partial median sternotomy and one (1.9%) a cervical incision plus a right postero-lateral thoracotomy. In three asymptomatic patients (5.8%) thoracotomy was followed by cervical incision due to a preoperative incorrect diagnosis. Major postoperative complications included two cervico-mediastinal hematoma with one subsequent death and four (7.8%) recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. This series showed that: (1) Standard chest roetgenogram with esophagogram is still the most useful investigation, although CAT scan can help in planning the operation. (2) Cervical collar incision provides adequate exposure in nearly all cases. (3) When goiter enucleation is difficult or at risk, a complementary median sternotomy is indicated in right retrovascular goiters. (4) Operation should be recommended in all but the highest-risk patients. (5) Tracheal intubation with small caliber tubes is nearly always possible in patients with acute tracheal compression.     

颈前小切口鼻内镜辅助下甲状腺良性肿瘤切除术的临床体会

【摘要】 目的 采用内镜辅助下颈前小切口甲状腺良性肿瘤切除的手术经验并与传统手术比较处理经验。 方法〓回顾性分析62例肿瘤最大直径<4.0 cm的甲状腺良性肿瘤切除术,按手术方式分为内镜组(鼻内镜辅助下甲状腺切除术,n=33)和传统组(传统开放甲状腺切除术,n=29)比较两组的临床治疗效果。 结果〓2组62例患者的肿块均完整切除,切口均I期愈合。术后均无声音嘶哑、呛咳、继发血肿等并发症,无手术死亡病例。鼻内镜辅助下颈前小切口组的手术时间较传统组长,术中出血量较传统组少,且患者术后疼痛程度也较低。 结论〓与传统开放手术相比,鼻内镜辅助下颈前小切口甲状腺手术具有美容、出血少、术后疼痛小等优点,是治疗甲状腺良性肿瘤一种很好的手术选择。     

Substernal goiter. Report of 212 cases

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this retrospective study was to report the results of the surgical treatment in a series of 210 patients operated on for substernal goiters. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1982 to 1996, 210 patients with substernal goiters, including 80% of women, were operated on via a cervical approach in 208 cases, via a sternotomy in two cases. Two patients with operative contra-indications were not operated on. Twenty-five were operated on for a substernal recurrence of a goiter. In 160 cases, extraction of the substernal portion was easy. In 48 cases, removal of the substernal portion was facilitated by the discovery of the recurrent nerve at its entering into the larynx and a downward dissection of the tracheal attachments of the lobe. The complete dissection of the cervical portion made easier the ascension of the substernal portion even in very large substernal components. RESULTS: Three papillary carcinomas were diagnosed. A transient laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 7.2% of the patients and a transient hypoparathyroidism in 13.4%, A definitive laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 1.2% of the patients, and a persistent hypoparathyroidism in 2.1%. Of the 25 patients who underwent surgery for recurrence of a goiter, three (12%) developed a transient laryngeal nerve palsy, one (4%) a permanent nerve palsy, four (20%) a transient hypoparathyroidism and one (4%) a persistent hypocalcemia. CONCLUSION: CT scan and MRI are the best explorations to evaluate intrathoracic extension of substernal goiters. Thyroidectomy was performed via a cervical incision in 208 patients and via a sternotomy in two patients only. The complete dissection of the cervical portion with discovery of the recurrent nerve at its entering into the larynx, facilitates the ascension of the substernal portion even in very large substernal goiters.