Near-total thyroidectomy could be the best treatment for thyroid disease in endemic regions.
OBJECTIVE
Near-total thyroidectomy, on the basis of its low morbidity rate, is an appropriate treatment option in the surgical management of various thyroid diseases in an endemic region in Turkey.


METHODS
Single-institution study of patients with various thyroid diseases treated by means of near-total thyroidectomy within 2 years in an endemic region, with comparison of the results vs the complication rates of bilateral subtotal and total thyroidectomy reported in the literature.


METHODS
Tertiary academic referral center.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-two patients who underwent near-total thyroidectomy for various thyroid diseases.


METHODS
Surgical treatments of various benign thyroid diseases were compared according to the complication rates and the achievable benefits of the procedures.


RESULTS
In our clinic, near-total thyroidectomy was the principal surgical procedure performed for benign thyroid disease. The temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy rate with respect to the nerves at risk was 3.3% (10 of 304 nerves), whereas temporary hypoparathyroidism was 7.2% (11 of 152 patients). Neither permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy nor permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred. In 1 patient, wound hematoma developed and required re-exploration. Seroma in another patient needed no medical or surgical intervention. Neither wound infection nor mortality were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Near-total thyroidectomy achieves a lower complication rate of hypoparathyroidism and a similar complication rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and recurrence when compared with the rates reported in the literature for total thyroidectomy. It is an effective and safe surgical treatment option for various benign thyroid diseases.
Acun
Zeki
Z
General Surgery Department, School of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Zonguldak, Turkey. zekiacun@hotmail.com
Comert
Mustafa
M
Cihan
Alper
A
Ulukent
Suat Can
SC
Ucan
Bulent
B
Cakmak
Guldeniz Karadeniz
GK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014421:Turkey