[Nontoxic multinodular goiter: evaluation of recurrence rate and function after partial thyroidectomy. Retrospective analysis of 39 cases].

The postoperative goiter recurrence and hypophysial-thyroid function in 39 patients who underwent partial thyroidectomy for nontoxic multinodular goiter, during the 1970-1983 period, was evaluated, seeking relations among thyroid function, extension of surgery and goiter recurrence. The incidence of recurrent goiter was approximately 15%, most of these goiters having been identified ten or more years after thyroidectomy. More extensive surgery lowered the recurrence rate but increased the risk of subclinical-hypothyroidism. No statistical significant differences with regard to serum T3, T4, F T4 and TSH (basal and after TRH) of patients with and without recurrent goiter were found. Thus, the maintenance of a recurrent nontoxic goiter does not seem to depend exclusively on increased serum TSH levels. In one patient, the postoperative treatment with thyroxine did not prevent the appearance of recurrent goiter. Since most patients who underwent thyroidectomy remain euthyroid and the goiter recurs in only a small number, the routine postoperative use of thyroid hormone for the prophylaxis of multinodular goiter recurrence seems to be questionable.