Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy in a Resource-Limited Setting in Ibb city of Yemen: A Retrospective Monocentric Study

Background and aim: This study aims to review the indications, histopathology, and complications of thyroid operations in a resource-limited setting where the management is provided primarily by general surgeons.
Material and methods: A retrospective study between Jun 2010 and March 2019 included 246 cases who underwent thyroid operations for a thyroid disorder in Al-Nasr Hospital, Ibb, Yemen. The patient's demographic characteristics, operative findings, complications, fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results, and outcomes were gathered and analyzed.
Results: The mean age was 41.60± 8.31 years. The prevalence was high in the age group of 31–40 years and the female gender (87.8%). The main indication for thyroidectomy was compressional symptoms (35%). The main cytology findings were multinodular goiter (89%). Thyroid cancer was presented in 18(7.3%) patients; the most type was follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) in 9 patients. The most typical type of surgery was near-total thyroidectomy in 186 (75.6%) patients. Complications were presented in 47 (19.1%) patients, and total mortality was observed in 5(2.03%) patients. Intraoperative bleeding was the most typical complication in 36 (14.6%) patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNAB were 98.35%, 98.28%, and 98.28%, respectively. FNAB was not precise enough in diagnosing FTC with a sensitivity of 55%.
Conclusions: Even though the rate of complications following thyroidectomy in this study is still high. Most of the mentioned complications are temporary and easy to treat. Thyroidectomy may be viable even in a resource-limited setting or performed by general surgeons.