BACKGROUND: Risks of thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter (MNG) in older and frail patients are unclear, particularly regarding hematoma and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy.

METHODS: MNG patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were reviewed in the ACS-NSQIP procedure-targeted database (2016-2017). Outcomes were analyzed between adult (age <65), older-adult (age ≥65 and <80), and oldest-old (age ≥80) patients. Five-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) was calculated based on functional status, diabetes, COPD, CHF, and hypertension, and used in comparative analyses.

RESULTS: A total of 2189 adult, 635 older-adult, and 59 oldest-old patients were included. Compared to adult patients, older-adult and oldest-old patients had higher mFI-5 ≥0.4 rates (14% vs. 22% vs. 31%, respectively, p < 0.001). The overall complication rate was 17.0% and similar between groups; however, oldest-old patients had higher rates of surgical site infection (3.4% vs. 0.3% vs. 0.4%), pneumonia (5.1% vs. 0.3% vs. 0.2%), and readmission (10.2% vs. 2.4% vs. 2.6%) compared to older-adult and adult patients, respectively (p < 0.05). On multivariable analyses of thyroidectomy-specific complications, mFI-5 ≥0.4 (OR 2.5, 95%-CI 1.4-4.4) and bleeding disorder (OR 4.6, 95%-CI 1.3-16.3) were predictive of hematoma, whereas vessel-sealant device usage (OR 0.4, 95%-CI 0.3-0.7) was protective. mFI-5 ≥ 0.4 (OR 1.5, 95%-CI 1.1-2.2), bleeding disorder (OR 2.8, 95%-CI 1.04-7.8), parathyroid autotransplantation (OR 1.7, 95%-CI 1.2-2.6), and prolonged operative time (OR 1.4, 95%-CI 1.02-1.8) were predictive of RLN palsy. Age was not a significant predictor of hematoma or RLN palsy.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients ≥80 years old are at increased risk for systemic complications and readmission after thyroidectomy for MNG. Frailty index better risk-stratifies patients than age for thyroidectomy-specific complications.