Anesthetic Management of Total Thyroidectomy and Partial Sternotomy for a case of Retrosternal Goiter

Abstract

The anaesthetic management of retrosternal thyroid swellings has many associated problems. Positioning and induction may cause severe cardiorespiratory decompensation. Intubation may be difficult and may require all the gadgets for difficult intubation procedure. Rarely patients may require cardiopulmonary bypass to save life. Extubation may be difficult in patients with tracheomalacia. Post-operatively patients may require tracheostomy and ventilatory support. This is a case report outlining successful management of a patient with retrosternal goiter who underwent total thyroidectomy following partial sternotomy.

Keywords

• cmac laryngoscope; cuff leak test; fiberoptic bronchoscopy; retrosternal goiter; sternotomy; thyroidectomy airway; cmac; cuff leak test; fiber-optic bronchoscopy; goiter; intubation; retrosternal; sternotomy; thyroidectomy