Thyroidectomy for the Treatment of Multinodular Goiter: Our Experience

Aim: To determine the outcome of thyroid surgery for treatment of multinodular goiter and compare subtotal and total thyroidectomy surgeries. Methods: This study was conducted at the department of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery, Hayat Medical Complex Peshawar from Jan. 2012 to June. 2012 (6months). This study included 60 patients with multinodular goiter. These patients were divided into two groups. One group was subjected to subtotal thyroidectomy while the other to total thyroidectomy. The data were obtained in terms of pt demographics, surgery type, hospital stay and postop complications. Results: There was no significant difference in the sex, age, duration of goiter or hormonal status between these two groups (P=0.64, P=0.73, P=0.59 and P=0.73 respectively). The main indications for surgery in both groups were compression symptoms and sudden enlargement in size of the goiter. The mean surgery time and hospital stay was shorter in patients with subtotal thyroidectomy but with no statistical difference (P>0.05). The incidence of temporary post operative hypocalcaemia was significantly higher in total thyroidectomy (P=0.003). However postoperative permanent hypocalcaemia was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The incidence of permanent complication in total thyroidectomy is not higher than subtotal thyroidectomy. So if total thyroidectomy is performed for multinodular goiter first time, the chance of recurrence of the disease may be reduced and second time surgery may be avoided.