Analysis of surgical complications of thyroid diseases: results of a single institution.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to compare the complications of different types of thyroidectomy for benign and malignant thyroidal diseases.


METHODS
Between January 2001 and March 2006, 982 patients underwent thyroidectomy in single institute. A retrospective analysis was performed on demographic characteristics and pathology reports of patients, complications of surgery as well as the follow-up of patients. Sixty patients could not be fully followed up and were excluded.


RESULTS
The types of the surgical procedures were as follows; 451 (48.9%) total, 137 (14.9%) subtotal, 60 (6.5%) near-total thyroidectomy and 274 (29.8%) lobectomy with isthmectomy. In the benign group, temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (RLNI) was the most common complication in patients with toxic diffuse goiter (TDG 2%) while this complication occurred in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC 1.5%) in the malign group. Permanent RLNI in benign thyroidal diseases was seen more commonly in patients with toxic multinodular goiter (1.3%). In benign thyroidal diseases, temporary hypoparathyroidism (THPT) was mostly found in patients with TDG (8%), whereas in malignant thyroidal diseases this was found more in patients with DTC (2%). Permanent HPT (PHPT) in benign thyroidal diseases was observed more commonly in patients with multinodular goiter (0.9%). In malignant thyroidal diseases, it was more frequently observed in patients with DTC (0.5%). Infective complications after thyroid surgery are rarely observed and have a low incidence (0.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
RLNI and HPT are the most common complications of after thyroid surgery but they may be avoided with an accurate technique (Tab. 3, Ref. 15). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.
Akin
Murat
M
Department of General Surgery, Gazi University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. makin@gazi.edu.tr
Kurukahvecioglu
Osman
O
Anadol
Ahmet Ziya
AZ
Yuksel
Osman
O
Taneri
Ferit
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult