[Does thyroidectomy worsen Graves'ophtalmopathy?].
OBJECTIVE
To determine if thyroïd surgery increase or not the eye symptoms in patients with Graves'ophtalmopathy.


METHODS
This retrospective study included between 1981 and 2001 two groups of patients: - group 1 : 24 patients who underwent thyroid surgery, - group 2 : 13 patients who were treated only by antithyroid drugs. Eye signs were evaluated according to the "NOSPECS" classification. The effect of the thyroid surgery and the medical treatment were evaluated with the NOSPECS classification modified by Orgiazzi in order to allow quantitative comparative data. The reasons why the patients were refered to surgery were:- the important size of the goitre (n = 10), - a recurrent hyperthyroidy despite an appropriated medical treatment (n = 10), - a pregnancy desire (n = 2), - a worsening of the eye signs (n = 2). Eighteen subtotal thyroidectomies and 6 total thyroidectomies were performed.


RESULTS
after thyroid surgery, ophtalmic status was noted to improve in 18 patients, to remain inchanged in 1 patient and to deteriorate in 5 patients. In the non-operated group, the results were quite similar, but the mean goitre size was statistically lower and the ophtalmic lesions were statistically appearing later, these two parameters traducting a less serious disease in this group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that thyroidectomy doesn't worsen the eye symptoms in patients with Graves'ophtalmopathy.
Claret-Gardette
M
M
Service d'endocrinologie et maladies métaboliques, hôpital du Bocage, CHU de Dijon, 3, rue du Faubourg Raines, 21000, Dijon, France.
Lalanne-Mistrih
M L
ML
Verges
B
B
Goudet
P
P
Brun
J M
JM
Cougard
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018450:Disease Progression; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome