[How to prevent surgical morbidity after a total thyroidectomy for a multinodular euthyroid goiter?].
OBJECTIVE
Total thyroidectomy has been advocated for the treatment of multinodular nontoxic and benign goiter. The aim of this study, based on our experience, was to define the surgical factors which permit to decrease morbidity related to total thyroidectomy for multinodular euthyroid benign goiter.


METHODS
In a retrospective study performed between January 1996 and September 2000, all records of total thyroidectomy for initial treatment of multinodular euthyroid benign goiter were reviewed. This study allowed to specify recurrent and parathyroid morbidity after surgery.


RESULTS
There were 51 women and 13 men with a mean age of 47 years. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred in 2 patients. It resolved in 1 patient but was permanent in another (1.6%). Transient hypocalcemia was found in 8 patients (12.5%). One patient had permanent hypocalcemia (1.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our serie are comparable to previous reports. Systematic identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and preservation of the parathyroid blood supply permit to decrease the surgical morbidity.
Montagne
S
S
Service de chirurgie C, CHU de Nancy-Brabois, Allée du Morvan, 54511 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France. s_k_mont@clubinternet.fr
Brunaud
L
L
Bresler
L
L
Ayav
A
A
Tortuyaux
J M
JM
Boissel
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control