Evaluating the impact of metabolic syndrome on postoperative thyroidectomy outcomes

Objective Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has previously been linked to increased risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality in other surgical undertakings. Because MetS is a consequence of endocrine dysfunction, and given the thyroid's crucial role in endocrine homeostasis, we sought to evaluate the association between MetS and postoperative outcomes of thyroidectomy. Methods Data were acquired from the ACS-NSQIP database from years 2005 to 2017. Patients with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension were defined as having MetS. Odds ratios (OR) were obtained for outcomes to quantify risk with multivariate logistic regression. Results Outcomes significantly affected by MetS included overall complication (OR: 2.00), extended postoperative stay (OR: 1.52), medical complication (OR: 1.48), surgical complication (OR: 1.62), and mortality (OR: 2.33). Conclusions Patients with MetS undergoing thyroidectomy are at increased risk of an increased length of stay, overall complications, and mortality.

Automated summary

Patients with MetS undergoing thyroidectomy are at significantly increased risk of complications, extended length of stay, medical and surgical complications, and mortality.