Clinical studies of mediastinal goiters

In 289 benign thyroid tumor operations performed at our hospital between 1988 and 1999, we treated 8 patients with mediastinal goiter, 4 of which were adenomas and 4 were adenomatous goiters. It was possible to remove the goiter entirely via a cervical approach in all 8 patients and even goiters extending to the aortic arch were safely removed without requiring sternotomy. There were no complications such as recurrent nerve palsy or postoperative hemorrage in those patients. The surgical approach, operative technique and results of therapy are discussed and transcervical approach for resection is emphasized.