Total Thyroidectomy versus Subtotal Thyroidectomy as a Suitable Surgery for Benign Thyroid Disorders.

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment of benign thyroid disease varies from lobectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, and total thyroidectomy (TT).

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to compare complications of both total and subtotal thyroidectomy (STT) for patients with bilateral benign thyroid disorders.

METHODS

Sixty patients with benign goiter, 32 for TT and 28 for STT, where indications for surgery, operating time, hospital stay, and complications were studied.

RESULTS

The incidence of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy was (6.25%) for TT vs (3.57%) for STT, and temporary hypoparathyroidism was (9.38%) in TT patients compared to (7.14%) in STT patients. Permanent RLN palsy and hypoparathyroidism occurred only in one case (3.12%) from the TT group. No permanent complications occurred in STT patients. Recurrence of goiter occurred in two patients (7.14%) undergoing STT. Incidental papillary carcinoma was (7.14%) in STT patients and (3.13%) for follicular carcinoma in TT patients. There was no postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSION

TT is a suitable surgical procedure in patients with bilateral benign thyroid disease as complication rate, operative time, and hospital stay are less comparable to STT. It will give a permanent cure without recurrences, and incidental thyroid malignancies can be avoided.