Practice Patterns in the Operative Management of Pediatric Thyroid Disease Across Surgical Specializations

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery 2023-12, Vol.58 (12), p.2441-2448
• Main Authors: Gil, Lindsay A., Cooper, Jennifer N., Patterson, Kelli N., Aldrink, Jennifer H., Diesen, Diana L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Multidisciplinary care; Pediatric thyroid disease; Surgery sub-specialization; Thyroidectomy
• ISSN: 0022-3468; 1531-5037
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.06.016

Multiple surgical specializations are involved in the operative management of pediatric thyroid disease, but current practice patterns remain unknown. The objective of this study was to examine current practice patterns in the operative management of pediatric thyroid disease, specifically comparing practices across different surgical specializations including pediatric surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, general surgery, adult otolaryngology, and endocrine-focused general surgery. Children 0-18 years-old undergoing thyroid surgery from 2015 to 2019 were identified using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases and State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases across 6 states. Surgeon specialization was determined for all included surgeons. Patient and hospital characteristics were compared across surgical specializations. Clinical outcomes including hypocalcemia/hypoparathyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hematoma, and wound infection were assessed. A total of 1241 pediatric thyroidectomies performed by 363 surgeons were included. Procedures were most frequently performed by pediatric surgeons (34.9%). Only 7.2% of procedures were performed by adult general surgeons. There were statistically significant differences in patient age, sociodemographics, surgical indications, and type of procedure performed between specializations (p