ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: Patients who undergo Total thyroidectomy are at higher risk for postoperative hypocalcaemia, which can lead to significant short and long term morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of postoperative hypocalcaemia undergoing Total thyroidectomy
Methods: A total of 854 patients who underwent Total thyroidectomy and completion thyroidectomy between January 2003 to December 2016 at Endocrine Surgical unit, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, were included in this retrospective study. Data were obtained for demographics, preoperative diagnosis, postoperative calcium levels, extent of surgery and final surgical pathology
Results: A total of 854 patients underwent Total thyroidectomy. Of these 87.58% [n=748] were malignant and 12.41% [n=106] were benign. Among the malignant and benign patients, 47.3% [n=404] underwent Total thyroidectomy and 52.69% [n=450] underwent completion thyroidectomy. Overall incidence of transient hypocalcaemia was 7% [n=60] and that of permanent hypocalcaemia was 0.11% [n= 1]
Conclusion: Hypocalcaemia is one of major concern following total- thyroidectomy. Meticulous surgical techniques, identification and preservation of vascularity of parathyroid glands are essential in preventing postoperative hypocalcaemia following total thyroidectomy
ABSTRACT
To prove that Near total Thyroidectomy [NTT] with minimal residual tissue is the procedure of choice in patients with Multi-Nodular Goitre [MNG]. Retrospective study from February 2002 to December 2006. Surgical Ward-II, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC], Karachi. A total of 521 consecutive patients, operated for simple or toxic MNG were included in this study. Apart from detailed clinical work-up, investigations including thyroid function tests and thyroid scans were carried out in all cases. All patients underwent near total thyroidectomy with preservation of recurrent laryngeal nerves and parathyroid glands. Out of 521 cases, 73 [14%] had carcinoma on histopathological examination of the removed glands; 47 [64%] underwent completion thyroidectomy which was uneventful, while 22 had radioiodine ablation with decreased dosage for provision of minimal residual tissue and four declined further treatment. Near total thyroidectomy is a versatile surgical procedure for patients with MNG, keeping in view the risk of associated occult malignancy. Furthermore, the risk of damage to recurrent laryngeal nerve [RLN] and parathyroids is low in patients undergoing completion thyroidectomy. Hence, a more radical procedure should be adopted for surgical treatment in MNG