Abstract
Although radioactive iodine has been shown to be an effective nonsurgical treatment for hyperthyroidism, surgery remains a major treatment methodology. Nodular goiters with hyperthyroidism, which are still common in Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe, are most effectively treated with surgery. The carcinogenic effects of131I have not been fully determined; until a large- scale, long- term controlled study of patients treated with131I is performed to establish the role of radioactive iodine in the development of carcinoma, its complete worldwide use is not recommended. There is low postoperative recurrence, mortality and morbidity with surgery for hyperthyroidism as performed in Scandinavia.
Résumé
Bien que l'iode radioactif soit une forme de traitement non opératoire efficace de l'hyperthyroïdie, la chirurgie reste le principal mode thérapeutique: elle est particulièrement utile dans les goitres nodulaires avec hyperthyroïdie, qui sont encore fréquents en Scandinavie et dans le reste de l'Europe. Les effets carcinogènes de131I n'ont pas encore été précisés. Son usage généralisé n'est donc pas justifié, aussi longtemps qu'une étude contrôlée à grande échelle et à long terme n'aura pas défini cet effet carcinogène. Après la chirurgie, telle qu'elle est faite en Scandinavie, les récidives sont rares, la mortalité et la morbidité sont faibles.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Michie, W.: Whither thyrotoxicosis? Br. J. Surg.62:673, 1975
Evered, D.C.: Treatment of thyroid disease: part I. Br. Med. J.1:264, 1976
Hamburger, J.I.: Hyperthyroidism. Concept and Controversy. Springfield, Ill., Charles C. Thomas Publ., 1972, p. 144
Lamberg, B.A.: Sköldkörtelns Sjukdomar (Diseases of the Thyroid Gland). Helsinki, Remédia Fennica, 1969
Michie, W., Beck, J.S., Pollet, J.E.: Prevention and management of hypothyroidism after thyroidectomy for thyrotoxicosis. World J. Surg.2:307, 1978
Heimann, P., Martinson, J.: Surgical treatment of thyrotoxicosis: results of 272 operations with special reference to preoperative treatment with anti-thyroid drugs and l-thyroxine. Br. J. Surg.62:683, 1975
Hedley, A.J., Ross, I.P., Beck, J.S., Donald, D., Albert-Recht, F., Michie, W., Crooks, J.: Recurrent thyrotoxicosis after subtotal thyroidectomy. Br. Med. J.4:258, 1971
Smith, B.R., Hall, R.: Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins in Graves' disease. Lancet2:427, 1974
Toft, A.D.: Raised plasma-thyroid-stimulating-hormone levels in thyrotoxic patients treated with iodine-131. Lancet2:644, 1973
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heimann, P. Should hyperthyroidism be treated by surgery?. World J. Surg. 2, 281–283 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01561492
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01561492