A patient undergoing thyroidectomy may have an unplanned readmission or emergency department visit. A number of risk factors may indicate a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management.
Patient selection: thyroidectomy
Reasons for return include:
(1) postoperative hypocalcemia
(2) postoperative hypertension
(3) neck hematoma
(4) respiratory symptoms
(5) surgical site infection
Risk factors for problems within 30 days of surgery include:
(1) older age
(2) thyroid cancer
(3) dependent functional status
(4) higher ASA score (ASA 3 or 4)
(5) diabetes
(6) COPD
(7) corticosteroid therapy
(8) hemodialysis or renal insufficiency
(9) recent weight loss
(10) duration of postoperative stay >= 2 days
(11) difficult thyroidectomy
(12) other significant comorbidities
(13) perioperative complications
(14) malnutrition
