Discharging sinus of neck after thyroid surgery:A rare case report

Post thyroidectomy skin sinus formation

“…are not unusual. 2 Thyroid gland and circumferential interspace infections are possible causes of skin sinus formation after thyroidectomy. Infections of the thyroid gland are not common because of its well-developed capsule, high iodine content of the gland, and rich vascular and lymphatic supply but with thyroidectomy protective effect of such factors will be weakened and this will predispose to persistent infection.…”

“…Infections of the thyroid gland are not common because of its well-developed capsule, high iodine content of the gland, and rich vascular and lymphatic supply but with thyroidectomy protective effect of such factors will be weakened and this will predispose to persistent infection. 2,5 Other factors related to sinus tract formation in thyroid are presence of foreign bodies like suture material used during operation which can harbour infections and iatrogenic factors like perioperative sterility techniques. 1,4 On our patient though the culture showed no growth, there is still high chance of infection causing sinus tract formation because the procedure done on the patient during the first surgery was partial and this leaves some tissues behind which can be a focus for infection and the fact that the terminal end of the tract was also found on the gland itself might show possible origin of infection to be from the gland.…”

“…It is palpable in the presence of benign or malignant disease condition. [1][2][3] Thyroidectomy is usually done for malignant conditions and for hyper functioning glands. Thyroidectomy has immediate complications like hematoma, seroma, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and late complications like hypocalcemia and hypothyroidism but rarely persistent sinus discharge.…”