title: [Effectiveness and safety of total thyroidectomy in the management of benign multinodular goiters].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The appropriate surgical procedure for benign multinodular goiters is debated. We report our clinical experience of performing total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiters, focusing on the outcome and complications to evaluate the efficacy and safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 264 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter between 2000 and 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. We examined the indications for operation, average hospital stay, early and late postoperative complications, the results of the final pathology in particular the frequency of incidental thyroid cancers and the recurrence rates after an average 6.2 years follow-up. The results were compared to literature data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The indications for surgery were compression and/or dislocation of the trachea in 174 (65.9%) patients, hyperthyreodism in 74 (28%) and cosmetic problems in others. The mean hospital stay was 4 days. Thirty-one patients (11.7%) had transient hypocalcaemia, but only 1 (0.3%) was symptomatic, and only 4 (1.5%) had permanent hypocalcaemia. Other complications included hematoma 4 (1.5%), temporary unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy 7 (2.6%), permanent unilateral laryngeal nerve palsy 2 (0.75%), and seroma in 8 (3%) cases. Incidental thyroid carcinomas were found on hystology in 9 (3.5%) patients. No recurrence was observed during the follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Total thyroidectomy may be the procedure of choice for the surgical management of benign multinodular goiter.
authors.affiliation: Róbert Károly Magánklinika Sebészet Budapest.
authors.forename: István
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gál
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Solymosi
authors.forename: Gyula
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lukács-Tóth
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wéber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000209:etiology; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology
keywords: benign multinodular goiter; complications; incidental thyroid cancer; jóindulatú multinodularis golyva; szövődmények; tapasztalatok; total thyreoidectomia; total thyroidectomy