Recurrence of goitre after operation in euthyroid patients.
OBJECTIVE
To try and resolve some of the problems associated with the treatment of goitre in euthyroid patients.


METHODS
Retrospective open study


METHODS
University hospital


METHODS
106 out of a total of 161 euthyroid patients operated on for goitre from 1974-1988. Those who underwent total thyroidectomy (n = 14), in whom the histological diagnosis was thyroiditis (n = 10), or who were lost to follow up (n = 31) were excluded from the study.


METHODS
Recurrence of goitre, and correlation with type of operation, age, and histological type.


RESULTS
62 Patients underwent unilateral, and 44 bilateral resections. There were 24 recurrences (23%), 13 of which were subclinical; 19 occurred after unilateral, and 5 after bilateral, resections (p = 0.02). There were no significant associations between recurrence and age or histological type.


CONCLUSIONS
Subtotal thyroidectomy is the treatment of choice for goitre in euthyroid patients.
Piraneo
S
S
Department of Surgery, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.
Vitri
P
P
Galimberti
A
A
Guzzetti
S
S
Salvaggio
A
A
Bastagli
A
A
D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy