title: [Contralateral hemithyroidectomy due to carcinoma of the thyroid. Our cases reviewed and updated].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We are reporting our 14 years' experience with prior hemithyroidectomies or contralateral hemithyroidectomies after a pathology result reporting malignancy (thyroid carcinoma) in the first surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty female patients with an average age of 45 years old have been studied and we have analyzed the initial symptoms, results of complementary tests, pathology diagnosis following initial surgery, and final outcome after a second intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of malignancy shown in our series after secondary surgery was 40 % and the percentage of hemithyroidectomy on hemithyroidectomy was 3 % after operating on 650 thyroid glands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though opinions differ in the medical literature, we feel a total thyroidectomy must be performed after a casual finding of thyroid carcinoma because of the oncologically safer outcome and the better control of the patient.
authors: Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Complejo Hospitalario Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, España. vicentepinorivero@terra.com
authors: Vicente
authors: V
authors: Pino Rivero
authors: Guillerma
authors: G
authors: Pardo Romero
authors: Alicia
authors: A
authors: González Palomino
authors: Carlos G
authors: CG
authors: Pantoja Hernández
authors: María Elena
authors: ME
authors: Mora Santos
authors: José Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Pereda Tamayo
authors: Luis E
authors: LE
authors: Marqués Rebollo
authors: Alfonso
authors: A
authors: Ambel Albarrán
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*