Hypothyroidism After Using Superior Thyroid Artery as A Recipient Artery

• Published in: The Laryngoscope 2023-03, Vol.133 (3), p.557-561
• Main Authors: Nakamura, Ryota, Takanari, Keisuke, Hanai, Nobuhiro, Suzuki, Hidenori, Nishikawa, Daisuke, Okumura, Seiko, Maruyama, Yoko, Hyodo, Ikuo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arteries - surgery; head and neck reconstruction; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Hypothyroidism - etiology; Laryngoscopy; microvascular anastomosis; recipient artery; Retrospective Studies; superior thyroid artery; Thyroid Diseases - surgery; Thyroid gland; Veins & arteries
• ISSN: 0023-852X; 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.30262

Objective Superior thyroid artery (SThA) is a common recipient artery in free tissue transfer even after total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy (TPLE) with hemithyroidectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of SThA as a recipient vessel affect thyroid function in patients undergoing TPLE with hemithyroidectomy. Methods From 2011 to 2020, 91 patients who underwent free jejunum transfer after TPLE with hemithyroidectomy were divided into two groups. In Group1 (n = 47), the contralateral SThA was used for the anastomosis. In Group2 (n = 44), other vessels were used. Retrospective chart review was performed comparing postoperative thyroid function between two groups. Results In group1, 17 patients presented hypothyroidism, 21 presented latent hypothyroidism and 9 presented no thyroid dysfunction comparing 15, 19, and 10 respectively in group 2. There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion Even after hemithyroidectomy, with inferior thyroid arteries are preserved, the SThA can be used as a recipient vessel. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 133:557–561, 2023 The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of the superior thyroid artery (SThA) as a recipient vessel affect thyroid dysfunction in patients undergoing TPLE combined with hemithyroidectomy. Our study revealed there was no significant difference in the postoperative hypothyroidism between patients with SThA used and not. We suggest that even after hemithyroidectomy, with inferior thyroid arteries are preserved, the SThA can be used as a recipient vessel.