Recurrent goiter: is it preventable?

ABSTRACT

To determine the different factors responsible for the recurrence of goiter after surgery. Department of Surgery, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from January 1998 to December 2005. All patients with recurrent goiter irrespective of place of first surgery were included. The patients with recurrent goiters due to thyroid malignancies were excluded. Sixty-four patients were included during study period from January 1998 to December 2005. 34.38% were in 4[th] and 25% of patients reported in 3[rd] and 5[th] decade each. Among them 96.9% were females and 3.1% males. 46.88% patients noticed recurrence after 4-6 years and 28.13% after 6-7 years of surgery. 75% of patients had not used thyroxin at all and 25% used for some duration after surgery. None of the patients gave the history of continuous use of suppressive dose of thyroxin postoperatively. During surgery it was observed that the site of recurrence was 25% whole one lobe, 18.75% from both lobes or at multiple places, 12.5% from pyramidal lobe and 9.37% from superior pole. Adequate thyroxin prophylaxis, correct indications for primary surgery, adequate surgery and removal of all palpable nodules reduce the risk of recurrent goiter