Rare But Risky: Clinical Impacts of Pneumothorax After Thyroidectomy and Parathyroidectomy

Authors

• Jessan A. Jishu, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• Alexandra LaForteza, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Dara Bruce, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• Isabel Riccio, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• Mina Liao, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• Yaser Y. Bashumeel, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• Emad Kandil, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
• Mohamed A. Shama, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-12-2026

Publication Title

The Laryngoscope

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative pneumothorax (PPTX) after thyroidectomy (TD) or parathyroidectomy (PT) is rare and primarily described in case reports with limited data on its prognostic significance in large populations. We aim to assess the incidence of PPTX and its association with clinical outcomes following TD or PT. METHODS: We queried the TriNetX United States Research Network, identifying patients ≥ 18 years of age who underwent open TD or PT between January 2000 and December 2025. Patients were separated by development of PTX within 7 days postoperatively. Outcomes were assessed at 3 and 6 months using odds ratios (ORs) and at 1 year using hazard ratios (HRs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality; secondary outcomes included risks for pneumonia, dysphagia, vocal cord paralysis, and need for mechanical ventilation as well as healthcare utilization rates. RESULTS: Among 228,340 patients undergoing surgery, 237 (0.10%) developed PPTX. At 1 year, PPTX was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 16.44, 95% CI 11.16-24.23), pneumonia (HR 6.14, 95% CI 3.48-10.83), dysphagia (HR 4.86, 95% CI 3.23-7.33), vocal cord paralysis (HR 5.19, 95% CI 3.31-8.15), and need for mechanical ventilation (HR 18.13, 95% CI 10.89-30.17). PPTX was also associated with higher rates of hospital readmission (HR 15.12, 95% CI 11.97-19.10) and emergency room visits (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.33-2.28) (all p < 0.01). All outcomes were also significant at 3 and 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: PPTX after TD or PT is exceedingly uncommon but associated with significantly worse mortality and morbidity.

PubMed ID

42283140

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Jishu, Jessan A.; LaForteza, Alexandra; Bruce, Dara; Riccio, Isabel; Liao, Mina; Bashumeel, Yaser Y.; Kandil, Emad; and Shama, Mohamed A., "Rare But Risky: Clinical Impacts of Pneumothorax After Thyroidectomy and Parathyroidectomy" (2026). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 4909.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/4909
10.1002/lary.70646