Total Versus Subtotal Thyroidectomy for Benign Multinodular Goiter: Outcome and Complications

Abstract

Background: Thyroid gland diseases constitute the second most common endocrine disease following diabetes mellitus. Thyroidectomy is one of the most common frequent operations including bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy. The aim of this study was to review and assess the complications with outcomes following total versus subtotal thyroidectomy.

Methods: A retrospective analytic study was conducted on 242 benign multinodular goiter (BMNG) patients who were divided according to surgical technique into two main groups T and ST. Group T patients were subjected to total thyroidectomy and those of group ST were subjected to subtotal thyroidectomy.

Results: No permanent or bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injuries occurred for patients in both groups. Superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) and temporary RLN injuries were in two in six patients (5%) in ST group and in seven patients in T group (5.8%). No permanent hypoparathyroidism was seen in group ST patients but in one patient (0.8%) of group T; transient hypoparathyroidism occurred in two patients (1.6%) in ST group and in one patient (0.8%) in T group.

Conclusion: Total or subtotal thyroidectomy outcomes and complications are similar and depend on good and proper preoperative preparation and the use of a meticulous surgical technique.




J Curr Surg. 2014;4(2):40-45
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jcs224w