Hemithyroidectomy for Unilateral Thyroid Disease
Z. Ergul, M. Akinci, H. KulacogluOriginal article, no. 5, 2014
Aim: To identify rates of recurrence and hypothyroidism afterhemithyroidectomy for unilateral nodular thyroid diseases andits advantages over bilateral radical resections.
Methods: Fifty patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy withunilateral thyroid disease were included. Follow-up with thyroidfunction tests on the first month and then once every threemonths, as well as ultrasonography controls once a year wereperformed postoperatively. Recurrence, which was accepted asat least one nodule with a diameter of 5 mm on the remnantlobe, and the need for postoperative thyroxin therapy wereanalysed, along with the relation of both with preoperativemedical therapy, histological results, numbers and diameters ofthyroid nodules, follow-up duration.
Results: The incidence of recurrent disease after hemithyroidectomywas 12% after a mean follow-up time of 25.2months (range, 10-43) while the incidence of clinical hypothyroidismwhich needs thyroxin therapy was 8%. Gender, age,substitutive and suppressive therapy before operation,histological evaluation, the presence of multiple nodules anddiameter of nodules were predictive of neither recurrence norpostoperative thyroxin therapy.
Conclusion: Hemithyroidectomy for unilateral thyroid diseasehas a moderate rate of recurrence, low rates of hypothyroidismand rare postoperative complications, with short hospital stay.
Methods: Fifty patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy withunilateral thyroid disease were included. Follow-up with thyroidfunction tests on the first month and then once every threemonths, as well as ultrasonography controls once a year wereperformed postoperatively. Recurrence, which was accepted asat least one nodule with a diameter of 5 mm on the remnantlobe, and the need for postoperative thyroxin therapy wereanalysed, along with the relation of both with preoperativemedical therapy, histological results, numbers and diameters ofthyroid nodules, follow-up duration.
Results: The incidence of recurrent disease after hemithyroidectomywas 12% after a mean follow-up time of 25.2months (range, 10-43) while the incidence of clinical hypothyroidismwhich needs thyroxin therapy was 8%. Gender, age,substitutive and suppressive therapy before operation,histological evaluation, the presence of multiple nodules anddiameter of nodules were predictive of neither recurrence norpostoperative thyroxin therapy.
Conclusion: Hemithyroidectomy for unilateral thyroid diseasehas a moderate rate of recurrence, low rates of hypothyroidismand rare postoperative complications, with short hospital stay.
