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Preoperative Potassium Iodide Treatment in Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy for Graves' Disease—Perspective of a European High-Volume Center

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Abstract

Background

Potassium iodide (KI) treatment affects the vascularity of the thyroid gland and therefore may improve intraoperative visualization of essential structures. However, clear evidence for its usage is lacking, and its implementation in patients suffering from Graves' disease is becoming rare. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of KI treatment on the intraoperative course and the outcome of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for Graves' diseases.

Methods

The study included 442 patients: 125 patients (28.3%) who received a preoperative treatment with KI (“Group KI”) and 317 patients (71.7%) without a KI therapy (“Group No-KI”). Indication for KI treatment was a thyroid bruit (82.5%), as well as hyperthyroidism refractive to medical treatment with antithyroid drugs (17.4%).

Results

All patients underwent total thyroidectomy. Permanent vocal cord paresis and permanent hypoparathyroidism were similar in both groups. KI treatment was associated with a significantly longer operative time (142 vs. 128 min, p < 0.001) and a significant higher weight of the thyroid gland. KI treatment did not impact duration of hospital stay or occurrence of secondary hemorrhage.

Conclusions

The complication rate of this study population with clinically severe GD was very low—which may be caused by pre-treatment of patients. The complementary option of a potassium iodide treatment before surgery remains a possibility and should be implemented individually.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany

    Kirsten Lindner

  2. Department of Endocrine Surgery, Schoen Clinic, Dehnhaide 120, 22081, Hamburg, Germany

    Jochen Kußmann & Volker Fendrich

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  1. Kirsten Lindner
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  2. Jochen Kußmann
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Correspondence to Volker Fendrich.

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Lindner, K., Kußmann, J. & Fendrich, V. Preoperative Potassium Iodide Treatment in Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy for Graves' Disease—Perspective of a European High-Volume Center. World J Surg 44, 3405–3409 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05593-0

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