title: Reoperative thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Subtotal thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease (BTD) may lead to delayed recurrence, thus necessitating reoperative surgery. We describe our experience with reoperative thyroidectomy for BTD and recommendations for definitive primary management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients undergoing thyroid surgery between 2003 and 2007 by a single surgeon were prospectively assessed. Numerous clinical parameters were evaluated, including time interval between primary and reoperative surgery and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 321 thyroidectomies were identified: 45 were reoperative and 22 were related to BTD after primary surgery done elsewhere. Median interval between the primary and reoperative procedure was 8.5 years. No recurrences followed total thyroidectomy or total thyroid lobectomy. There were no cases of permanent or transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury related to reoperative surgery. There was 1 case of transient hypocalcemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although reoperative thyroidectomy can be performed safely in the hands of experienced surgeons, a thorough initial surgical procedure should obviate the need for exposure to this additional risk.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, USA. dterris@mcg.edu
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Terris
authors: Sunny
authors: S
authors: Khichi
authors: Susan K
authors: SK
authors: Anderson
authors: Melanie W
authors: MW
authors: Seybt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000209:etiology; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors