title: One-day vs standard thyroidectomy. A perspective study of feasibility.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the feasibility of one-day thyroidectomy, comparing the results of this method vs standard thyroidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2000 to June 2001, 110 patients underwent total thyroidectomy under general anesthesia for thyroid disease. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: in group A (40 patients) we used the one-day thyroidectomy; in group B (70 patients) we employed standard thyroidectomy. In both groups postoperative mobilization was immediate and the mean postoperative hospitalization stay was 21 hours (range: 18-24) in group A and 60 hours (range: 21-120) in group B. The mean follow-up was 10 months (range: 6-18 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients of group A showed hypoparathyroidism with temporary hypocalcaemia in 3 cases (7.5%) vs 5 (7.1%) of group B; this finding was not statistically significant. No cases of definitive hypoparathyroidism, nor lesions of RLN, of the external branches of the superior laryngeal nerve, nor postoperative hemorrhage were observed in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The one-day thyroidectomy was found to be a safe, feasible and cost effective procedure, it is convenient for both the patient and the surgeon, and offers the same immediate and long-term results as the standard thyroidectomy in selected patients.
authors.affiliation: Section of General Vascular and Clinical Oncology, Department of Application in Surgery of Innovative Technologies, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. mario.testini@tin.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Testini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nacchiero
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miniello
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piccinni
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Di Venere
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lissidini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bussetta
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Bonomo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*