title: Complications of completion versus total thyroidectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to analyze the complication rates after completion thyroidectomy and compare them with primary total benign and malign thyroidectomy causes in total of 647 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among 647 patients, there were 159 receiving completion thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) (Group 1); 217 patients receiving total thyroidectomy for DTC (Group 2) and 271 given total thyroidectomy for benign diseases (Group 3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  When groups were compared for complications, there were no significant difference except temporary hypocalcemia between completion thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy for DTC. When the total thyroidectomies were compared (Group 2 and 3), there were no significant difference observed except unilateral temporary RLN palsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With improvements in surgical technique and experience, complication rates of thyroidectomy performed for benign or malign diseases are reduced. In spite of the improvement in surgical experience, temporary RLN palsy and hypoparathyroidism are the main complications in completion thyroidectomies which need special attention. To evaluate the patients more carefully in preoperative period and performing adequate thyroidectomy appears more logical.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ankara Oncology Hospital, Turkey. mgulcelik@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mehmet Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gulcelik
authors.forename: Bekir
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kuru
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dincer
authors.forename: Mithat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camlibel
authors.forename: Ulvi Murat
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Yuksel
authors.forename: Erdinc
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yenidogan
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000209:etiology*; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult