Total thyroidectomy for bilateral multinodular goiter / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the safety and rationality of total/near total bilateral thyroidectomy(TBT) for patients with bilateral multinodular goiter(BMG). Methods From January 2003 to December 2006,311 BMG cases were preoperatively divided into two groups, 130 cases in group A underwent TBT, and 181 cases in group B were treated with subtotal/partial bilateral thyroidectomy. Results There were 6 and 2 eases in group A and group B respectively diagnosed by intraoperative frozen biopsy as BMG, but identified as papillary carcinoma by final pathology. Hence the 6 cases in group A avoided reoporation, while the 2 cases in group B underwent a resection of the remnant gland. Transient hoarseness developed in 3 (2.42%, 3/124) and 3 (1.68%, 3/179) eases in group A and group B respectively (P =0.48). Transient hypocalcemia developed in 11 (8.87% ,11/124) and 9(5.03% ,9/179) cases in group A and group B respectively(P =0.16). There was no postoperative goiter recurrence in group A, but recurrence developed in 12 cases (6.70%,12/179) in group B(P=0.02). Conclusions Total bilateral thyroidectomy is safe and rational for the management of bilateral thyroid goiter.