Propranolol in surgery of thyrotoxicosis

Thirty four thyrotoxic patients were prepared with propranolol alone before undergoing subtotal thyroidectomy. All patients has their symptoms controlled in 2-5 days, a mean of 2.97 days. There was no technical difficulties and the gland was easy to handle. None of the patients needed blood transfusion. All patients received propranolol postoperatively for 5-7 days, mean of 5.2 days. Thyroid crisis did not occur post operatively. There was one post operative death from causes unrelated to the method of preparation. We recommend the use of propranolol alone in the preparation of all thyrotoxic patients for surgery