A remnant suture can mimic malignancy after total thyroidectomy

Abstract

Foreign body reactions may develop against exogenous or certain endogenous materials. Cases of suture granuloma that develop against nonabsorbable suture material are rare complications of thyroid surgery. Because of these postoperative complications, a history of cancer prior to the operation suggests recurrence of cancer. Appropriate clinical, radiological, and pathological evaluation is highly important in such cases. Postoperative foreign bodies may remain undetected for years, but they sometimes cause lethal complications.