Emergency Thyroidectomy in a Patient with Severe Upper Airway Obstruction Caused b Goiter: Case for Regional Anesthesia

Abstract

A case of severe airway obstruction caused by a giant malignant goiter is presented. The patient had emergency thyroidectomy under regional anesthesia (bilateral superficial cervical plexus block). The procedure was well tolerated and the intraoperative course was unevenfful. The anesthetic challenges are discussed and a case is made for regional anesthesia as a safe and reliable anesthetic option for thyroidectomy in this situation.