Haemodynamic instability during thyroid surgery: a baroreflex-mediated neurogenic phenomenon?

We present a case of marked intra-operative blood pressure instability in a euthyroid, fit 33-year-old female undergoing elective hemithyroidectomy. This led to significant haemodynamic compromise, cardiac failure and end-organ damage. There was no evidence of a vasoactive endocrine cause, and the nature and timing of the event strongly pointed towards baroreflex-mediated neurogenic sympathetic dysfunction. This can occur during carotid surgery and neck dissection. Although haemodynamic fluctuations may happen during thyroid surgery, their severity in this case was unusual. We believe this could have been a rebound phenomenon in response to acute decompression of the carotid artery which had been compressed by an enlarging cyst. We suggest that in similar cases blockade of the carotid sinus could attenuate such responses.