LAUSR

Infiltration of the cervical-visceral axis in advanced thyroid carcinoma determines the prognosis of the patients. Complete locoregional tumour resection therefore prolongs the survival even in presence of distant metastases. Results of trachea resections performed at the University Medical Center (UMC) Mainz are presented and discussed with regard to the literature. Patients who underwent neck surgery along with trachea resection in a time period from January 2007 to December 2022 were retrospectively included in the study. Surgical resection strategy and operation-associated complications were documented. Overall survival and post resection survival were analysed. From 2007 to 2022, at the single-center UMC Mainz 36 patients (16 female, 20 male) were treated with neck surgery with trachea resections for locally advanced carcinomas. Of these, 18 underwent trachea shaving, 15 partial trachea resection and 3 circular trachea resections. Underlying histology was papillary (16/36), follicular (8/36) and poorly differentiated (4/36) thyroid carcinoma, and 8 other diagnoses. 10 patients suffered from postoperative complications (of these, 5 patients ≥ Dindo Clavien grade 4). Tumor recurrence was registered in 5 cases, whereas 19 patients remained tumour free after the operation (tumour persistence in 12 individuals). Mean overall survival from diagnosis was 75 months, mean postoperative survival was 31 months (mean postoperative follow-up period: 31 months). Trachea resections for locally advanced tumour infiltration are feasible within highly individualised treatment concepts.