title: Total versus bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy for benign multi-nodular goiter.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the postoperative early-stage complications of total and bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy for benign multi-nodular goiter.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 409 patients. The patients were divided into two groups. A total of 258 (63%) patients underwent total thyroidectomy, and 151 (37%) patients underwent bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in six (2.3%) of the total thyroidectomy patients and in three (1.9%) of the bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy patients (P>0.05). No permanent palsy was observed in either of the thyroidectomy groups. Hypocalcemia occurred in 40 (15.5%) of the total thyroidectomy patients and in 27 (17.8%) of those who underwent bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy (P>0.05). Also, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to the development rates of hematoma and incision site infection (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of its low complication rates, total thyroidectomy is a safe procedure for benign multı-nodular goiter.
authors.affiliation: The School of Health Care Professions Avcılar, Istanbul Gelisim University Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciftci
authors.affiliation: The School of Health Care Professions Avcılar, Istanbul Gelisim University Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sakalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Safa Hospital Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abdurrahman
keywords: Multi-nodular goiter; complication; subtotal thyroidectomy; total thyroidectomy