Sternotomy along with the cervical incision for management of a retrosternal goiter increases the pain, morbidity, and length of hospital stay of the patient. The need for sternotomy increases when… Click to show full abstract
Sternotomy along with the cervical incision for management of a retrosternal goiter increases the pain, morbidity, and length of hospital stay of the patient. The need for sternotomy increases when the retrosternal component reaches up to or below the concavity of the aortic arch and especially if the retrosternal component is broader than the thyroid girth at the thoracic inlet. We have tried a new method using the Cavitron Ultrasonic Aspirator to debulk the retrosternal component, thus facilitating its easy delivery into the neck, and avoided sternotomy in 3 patients. In all the three patients sternotomy was contemplated based on the preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography picture.
               
Click one of the above tabs to view related content.