Postoperative complications of thyroidectomy: a comparison of two series at an interval of ten years

A comparison is presented of the complications found in two series each consisting of 331 consecutive patients undergoing thyroidectomy in the same Unit ten years apart. The overall incidence of postoperative complications has been reduced, particularly in the group of patients having thyroidectomy for thyrotoxicosis following which it is now no greater than after thyroidectomy for benign non-toxic goitre. The techniques used to try to reduce the postoperative complication rate are discussed. The incidence of permenent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy has been reduced to 0-3% and of permanent hypoparathyroidism to 1-2%. The overall incidence of complications causing permanent disability is now 3-9%.