[Contralateral hemithyroidectomy due to carcinoma of the thyroid. Our cases reviewed and updated].
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.
Pino Rivero
Vicente
V
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Complejo Hospitalario Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, España. vicentepinorivero@terra.com
Pardo Romero
Guillerma
G
González Palomino
Alicia
A
Pantoja Hernández
Carlos G
CG
Mora Santos
María Elena
ME
Pereda Tamayo
José Manuel
JM
Marqués Rebollo
Luis E
LE
Ambel Albarrán
Alfonso
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*