[Total thyroidectomy in benign thyroid diseases].

OBJECTIVES In this retrospective study, we reviewed the data from patients who had total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease and evaluated the safety of this surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS Three hundred and twenty three patients (49 males, 274 females; mean age 42.6+/-14.1 years; range 13 to 80 years) who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2002 and 2008 were included in the study. In the preoperative studies, patients with suspicion of thyroid cancer were excluded. Indications for total thyroidectomy, cancer incidence and complication rates were evaluated. Two hundred and eighty three patients (87.6%) were operated on due to bilateral multinodular goiter, 17 (5.3%) due to toxic goiter, 23 (7.1%) due to thyroiditis. RESULTS In our study, it was found that the incidences of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and permanent hypoparathyroidism were 0.6% and 1.86%, respectively. Postoperative hemorrhage requiring repeat surgery occurred in 0.6% of the patients. There was no recurrence during follow-up. CONCLUSION The present study shows that total thyroidectomy is a safe procedure with a low incidence of permanent complications. Total thyroidectomy is an acceptable surgical alternative for benign multinodular or diffuse goiters.