A 38-year-old young woman died on March 4 following a minor operation in a clinic in Bordeaux. She had undergone removal of two cysts of the thyroglossal tract, congenital cervical malformations. Explanations from Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of TipsForWomens.
A 38-year-old young woman died following a minor operation in a clinic in Bordeaux, reports news media Bordeaux. Gwenaëlle Leterme was hospitalized for the removal of two cysts from the thyroglossal tract. Unfortunately, everything did not go as planned.
What is a thyroglossal tract cyst?
A thyroglossal tract cyst is a cyst resulting from a malformation when the thyroid appears during embryogenesis. One or more cysts can then form within the anterior neck and remain inapparent for many years, before becoming visible when they increase in size.
This type of cyst never disappears spontaneously and the main risk is secondary infection, with the creation of an abscess. By removing it, through a simple operation, the surgeon helps avoid this risk.
What are the risks of this surgery?
“Surgical intervention to remove a thyroglossal cyst is generally considered safe and effective” explains Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of TipsForWomens. “However, as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks of complications.”. Here are some of the possible complications:
- Blood loss : “During or after surgery, there may be excessive bleeding, sometimes requiring further surgery to control it” indicates Gérald Kierzek.
- An infection : “Although aseptic measures are taken to prevent infections, there is still a risk of post-operative infection in the operated area. adds the medical director of TipsForWomens.
- Nerve damage: “This is because nerves located near the thyroglossal cyst, such as the recurrent laryngeal nerve or the hypoglossal nerve, could be damaged during the procedure, leading to voice alteration, muscle weakness or other problems.” explains Dr. Kierzek.
- A recurrence: “Although rare, there is a risk of recurrence of the cyst after its removal. This may be due to incomplete excision or the formation of new cysts from remaining thyroglossal tissue” states the doctor.
- A thyroid disorder: “In rare cases, thyroid function may be disrupted after surgery, which may require additional treatment with thyroid hormones.” expose Gérald Kierzek.
- Poor healing: “Excessive scarring or an unsightly scar may occur after surgery, particularly in cases where the incision is large.” note encore l’expert.
“Finally, post-operative cardiac arrest can be linked to multiple reasons that the expertise will try to determine in the case of this young woman (pulmonary embolism, hemorrhagic shock, etc.)” estimates the medical director of TipsForWomens.
Pain after surgery, in the case of Gwenaëlle
For the young woman, post-surgery went badly. She would have suffered from difficulty breathing, swallowing or even eating. According to Actu Bordeaux, she suffered a cardiac arrest on the night of March 1st to 2nd, while seeking help from nurses. His death was finally pronounced on March 4, after several hours in a coma.
Her loved ones now want to understand what really happened to the young woman, who was due to get married next June.
