title: Outcome of surgery for toxic goitres in Maiduguri: a single teaching hospital's perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thyrotoxicosis a common endocrine disorder of the thyroid gland in Nigeria is commonly treated surgically. The outcome of thyroidectomy for toxic goiters in Maiduguri Nigeria is evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over the last 5 years (Jan 2005-July 2010) , in a prospective review, the demographic, and clinical data of patients operated for toxic goiters in our department was entered, into a predesigned proforma and analyzed. The objective of the study is to review our experience with subtotal and near-total thyroidectomy as treatment for benign toxic goiters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-eight patients, 11 males (14.1%) and 67 females (85.9%), with male: female ratio of 1:6.1 and the mean age of 30 ± 10.9 (range, 17-65 years), underwent thyroidectomy for toxic goiters. The mean duration of symptoms was 41.9 (range 3-126 months). There were 53 patients with toxic diffuse goiters (Grave's disease) with their mean age of 27.6 ± 6.93 (range 17-38 years), 23 with toxic multinodular goiters, the mean age of 43.7 ± 15.68 (range 17-65 years) and two with toxic nodule. There was no case of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy or permanent hypocalcemia. Transient hypocalcemia occurred in 9 (11.5%) patients and hemorrhage with hematoma, requiring exploration in 4 (5.1%). There were two cases of wound infection and no postoperative mortality. The mean hospital stay was 7.6 ± 2.34 (range 5-15 days). There was no disease recurrence over a mean follow-up of 20.7 (range 2-48) months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subtotal thyroidectomy is an effective procedure for the treatment of thyrotoxicosis with few postoperative complications and majority of patients being euthyroid after long follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Maiduguri and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. nuhualinvwa@yahoo.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Madziga
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dogo
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Gali
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gadzama
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult