title: Predictive factors for recurrence after thyroid lobectomy for unilateral non-toxic goiter in an endemic area: results of a multivariate analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to identify the factors that are predictive of recurrence after thyroid lobectomy for unilateral non-toxic thyroid goiter in an endemic region through a multivariate analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred sixty-eight consecutive patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy and who were evaluated by the same endocrinologist were included. Univariate and multivariate analysis analyzed the relationship between sex, age, preoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone, duration of disease, duration of levothyroxine (LT4) preoperative therapy, cytologic results, histologic results, resected thyroid weight, numbers and diameters of thyroid nodules, morphologic alterations of the remnant lobe, follow-up length, postoperative LT4 therapy, ultrasonographic evidence of recurrence, and reoperation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of recurrence was 33.9% (91/268 patients) after a mean follow-up time of 79.9 months (range, 12-251 months), female sex ( P = .016), multiple nodules ( P = .017), and lack of postoperative LT4 therapy ( P = .0009) were predictive factors of recurrence. Reoperation was performed in 20 patients (7.4%); factors that were predictive of reoperation were the presence of multiple nodules ( P = .008), resected thyroid weight ( P = .00006), and lack of postoperative hormonal therapy ( P = .0005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thyroid lobectomy for unilateral non-toxic goiter, when combined with suppressive or substitutive thyroxin therapy, resulted in a low rate of recurrence and reoperation in an endemic area.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrine Surgery, Catholic University, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bellantone
authors.forename: Celestino Pio
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boscherini
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raffaelli
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tondolo
authors.forename: Pier Francesco
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Alesina
authors.forename: Salvatore Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Corsello
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fintini
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bossola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006043:Goiter, Endemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D013974:Thyroxine