Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after thyroidectomy: A national study from Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence and possible risk factors of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, to provide a relevant literature review of studies from other centers in Saudi Arabia, and to present basic statistical data for future studies in our local community. METHODS: A retrospective study enrolled patients who were surgically treated for thyroid disease between January 2015 and December 2021. For concerns during the procedure, direct laryngoscopy was carried out before extubation to assess the vocal cords. Similarly, indirect laryngoscopy was carried out for patients who developed postoperative voice changes. All patients were evaluated clinically 2-3 weeks after surgery. Nerve monitors were not used in either case. RESULTS: The study examined 437 participants: 361 (82.6%) female and 76 (17.4%) male individuals. The incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 1.1%. The demographic characteristics, pathology (benign vs. malignant), and extent of thyroidectomy were not significantly associated with the risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. CONCLUSION: A recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is a serious complication, and further studies are required to determine the safest techniques for thyroidectomy. However, centralization of thyroid surgery in high-volume centers might reduce this risk.

Post-Thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia: A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction Thyroidectomy is a frequent operation performed worldwide. The most common complication following thyroid surgery is hypocalcemia, caused by transient or persistent hypoparathyroidism. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy and to identify potential risk factors. Methods All thyroidectomies performed at a single tertiary center between 2012 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia was evaluated in relation to risk factors such as age, sex, procedure type, and type of thyroid disease. Data were extracted from patient medical records. Patients with pre-operative hypocalcemia were excluded. Results We enrolled 182 patients who underwent thyroidectomy. Female patients comprised 83% (n = 151) of the total patients. Of all patients, 116 (63.7%) had developed post-operative temporary hypocalcemia and three (1.6%) had persistent hypocalcemia. Remarkably, no cases of mortality were reported. There was no significant relationship between the occurrence of hypocalcemia and age, type of thyroid disease, and sex. Conversely, there was a significant relationship between the development of hypocalcemia and the type of procedure (P < 0.001). Conclusion Thyroidectomy is a safe surgery with few complications when performed by a skilled surgeon. These complications result in longer hospital stays and higher costs. The most common post-thyroidectomy complication was hypocalcemia. Furthermore, patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were at the greatest risk of developing post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Tabuk City, KSA.

PURPOSE: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is becoming a leading cause of preventable blindness. The current study aimed to assess ROP and its risk factors in Tabuk City, Northern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in King Khalid Hospital, Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia. The premature infants' records during the period of January 2016 to April 2018 were approached. One hundred and eight records were eligible; the infants' gestational age, weight, if received oxygen, surfactant use, blood transfusion, intraventricular hemorrhage, and patent ductus arteriosus were reported. Chi-square test was used to compare premature infants and their counterparts regarding various risk factors. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of 108 premature infants, 33.3% had ROP (Many were sightthreatening [stages required treatment] and more than twothirds involving both eyes); a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was evident between infants with prematurity, and low birth weight. No significant differences were found regarding other risk factors (P > 0.05). Only 8.3% received interventional therapy. CONCLUSION: ROP is common in King Khalid Hospital, which is the referral tertiary hospital in Tabuk city, KSA . The low birth weight is a significant risk factor to develop ROP. Many of ROP cases were sightthreatening (cases that required treatment) and most cases involving both eyes. Treatment availability at Tabuk city is recommended, instead of referral to another centers especially among those with low weight at birth.