| Kulkarni, Worcester, MA, USA, reported regional anesthesia for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy in 9 patients with cold nodules, 2 patients with Graves' disease and 3 patients with hyperparathyroidism. For the thyroid patients the procedures were total thyroidectomy in 3, near total thyroidectomy in 4, subtotal thyroidectomy in 2 and lobectomy in 2 patients. The results were very favourable in that patients could be discharged at the same day of operation, but most chose to stay one night. It is concluded that this procedure causes lower morbidity, lower hospital costs, and maybe especially preferred in patients with contra-indication to general anesthesia. |
