Delayed Tracheal Injury Following a Total Thyroidectomy Presenting as Anterior Neck Swelling: A Case Report
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Tracheal injury following thyroidectomy is rare, with delayed presentation being even less common. Tracheal mucosal herniation through a small tracheal wall defect represents an exceptionally unusual postoperative complication. This report describes a 49-year-old woman who developed a delayed anterolateral tracheal defect with mucosal herniation two weeks after a total thyroidectomy. Conservative management led to complete recovery. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion for airway complications in the late postoperative period and demonstrates that small, contained tracheal defects can be safely managed nonoperatively.
Source: Cureus
Authors: Nona Shalisha Sallay, H L D S Ariyaratne
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7155180291