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Complications in primary and completed thyroidectomy

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Abstract

Purpose

To compare the rates of postsurgical complications following a primary and completed thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter (MNG).

Methods

A total of 7123 cases of thyroidectomy in two hospitals from 1990 to 2007 (n = 3834 [53.83%] total [TT], n = 2238 [31.42%] subtotal [ST], and n = 1051 [14.75%] hemithyroidectomy [HT]) were studied for complications. The follow-up checked for injury of the laryngeal nerves, hypoparathyroidism, pathology recurrence, and appearance of neoplasm.

Results

Postoperative mean follow-up: 7 years 9 months Primary operation: permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury was observed in 1.4% in the TT group, 1.2% in the ST, and 0.9% in the HT group (P > 0.1 vs ST and TT). Permanent hypocalcaemia: 3.5% in TT group, 2.5% in the ST, in 1.4% in the HT. Eight hundred and seventy-seven patients suffered recurrence of MNG (n = 482 after ST, n = 395 after HT). Five hundred and sixty-four recurrent cases required a completion thyroidectomy. Reoperations: Permanent RLN injury was observed in 3% in the post-ST group and 2.5% in the post-HT group. Permanent hypocalcemia: 5.9% in the post-ST group and 4% in the post-HT group.

Conclusion

There is no significant difference in complications between a primary TT and ST. The rates of complications after a completed thyroidectomy are significantly higher in comparison with the primary operations. High rates of reoperation in cases of recurrent pathology and incidental carcinoma were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Assaf HaRofeh Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Zerifin, Israel

    Michael Vaiman & Julian Olevson

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ivanovo State Medical Academy, Ivanovo, Russia

    Andrey Nagibin

  3. 33 Shapira Street, Bat Yam, 59561, Israel

    Michael Vaiman

Authors
  1. Michael Vaiman
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  2. Andrey Nagibin
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  3. Julian Olevson
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Vaiman, M., Nagibin, A. & Olevson, J. Complications in primary and completed thyroidectomy. Surg Today 40, 114–118 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-008-4027-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-008-4027-9

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