Delayed Tracheal Injury Following a Total Thyroidectomy Presenting as Anterior Neck Swelling: A Case Report

Tracheal injury following thyroidectomy is rare, with delayed presentation being even less common. Tracheal mucosal herniation through a small tracheal wall defect represents an exceptionally unusual postoperative complication. This report describes a 49-year-old woman who developed a delayed anterolateral tracheal defect with mucosal herniation two weeks after a total thyroidectomy. Conservative management led to complete recovery. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion for airway complications in the late postoperative period and demonstrates that small, contained tracheal defects can be safely managed nonoperatively.