title: Comparison of completion thyroidectomy and primary surgery for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to analyze the complication rates after the completion thyroidectomy and compare them with primary total thyroidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcomes of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who were operated over a period of eight years were evaluated. One hundred and forty-one patients underwent completion thyroidectomy and 92 patients had primary surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups were comparable in respect of clinical variables. Residual tumor was found in 66 of 141 patients (46.8%) in completion thyroidectomy group. The rate of the two most important complications, permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and permanent hypoparathyroidism were 3.5 and 4.2%, in completion thyroidectomy group, and 3.3 and 4.3%, in primary total thyroidectomy group. The complication rates were not significantly different between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, completion thyroidectomy can be done safely in a specialized center with acceptable morbidity.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Ankara Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Kizilay, Ankara 06420, Turkey erhanerdem@ttnet.net.tr
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Erdem
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Gülçelik
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Kuru
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Alagöl
mesh_terms: D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014421:Turkey; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis