Pediatric Thyroid Surgery: A 7-Year Experience From A High-Volume Tertiary Center

Pediatric thyroid diseases are associated with higher malignancy and complication rates than in adults. Despite the 2015 American Thyroid Association pediatric guidelines, literature on pediatric thyroid surgery remains limited. This retrospective study aims to present a 7-year, single-center experience in pediatric thyroid surgery.

It was conducted from January 2018 to January 2025 and included 60 patients undergoing nodulectomy, lobectomy, or total thyroidectomy for symptomatic thyroid disorders or suspicious nodules. The median age was 14 years, with 46 (76.7%) females. The most common complaint was neck swelling observed in 35 individuals (58.3%).

Preoperatively, 44 patients (73.3%) had thyroid nodules; 41 (68.3%) had benign disease, while 19 (31.6%) were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). A total thyroidectomy was the most common procedure performed in 26 cases (43.3%). A significant correlation was found between surgery duration and hospitalization (r=0.528, p<0.001).

Pediatric thyroid surgery is generally safe, with total thyroidectomy being the most frequently performed procedure. Given the relatively high malignancy rate and surgical complexity, optimal outcomes depend on multidisciplinary care and surgeon expertise in pediatric thyroid pathology.