'Ad hoc' sternal-split safely replaces full sternotomy for thyroidectomy requiring thoracic access

Mediastinal goiter (MG) removal occasionally needs sternotomy, mainly in case of subaortic extension. We aimed to test the hypothesis that sternal-split may safely replace full sternotomy for MG removal (through total thyroidectomy) when thoracic access is required. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study comparing 15 subaortic MGs receiving sternal-split with 87 MGs undergoing cervicotomy alone between January 1997 and June 2009. Among 15 cases requiring sternal incision, sternal-split was extended to the angle of Louis in nine patients (60%), to the third intercostal space (IS) in one of five (20%) cases of MGs with anterior mediastinum involvement, and in five of 10 (50%) cases with posterior involvement (P = 0.6). Full sternotomy was never necessary. The median hospitalization was 5 days (range, 4-8 days) after sternal access as compared with 3 days (range, 2-4 days) after cervicotomy (P = 0.04). Complications were similar in these two study groups: one postoperative bleeding in each group and three recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies after cervicotomy (P = 0.5). There was no operative mortality, blood transfusion, tracheotomy requirement, wound infection, or persistent hypoparathyroidism. Proper extension of sternal-split to the second or third IS allows an adequate approach to both the anterior and to the posterior mediastinum, thus permitting safe management of MGs requiring thoracic access.