title: Operative management of thyroid abnormalities in a general medical practice hospital in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: This is a retrospective analysis of 82 patients undergoing thyroid operations in a general medical practice hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. All patients complained of neck swelling, and in 75% of patients this was the only symptom. Indications for operation included cosmesis in 74%, suspected malignancy in 13%, hyperthyroidism in 7% and pressure symptoms in 5%. Operative complications included recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in two (2.4%), wound haematoma in two (2.4%), wound infection in three (3.6%) and hypoparathyroidism in one (1.2%). There were no deaths and no instances of thyroid storm. Thyromegaly can be operatively managed in a hospital such as ours with a relatively low morbidity rate using conservative gland extirpation techniques. This conservative approach may result in under treatment for thyroid malignancies but should result in a lower incidence of recurrent nerve damage and hypoparathyroidism in the majority of people who undergo thyroidectomy solely for cosmetic indications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baptist Medical Centre, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: OlaOlorun
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tarpley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*