Results of partial thyroidectomy for thyrotoxicosis

In a retrospective study, two series of surgically treated patients with thyrotoxicosis were compared. The series differed with respect to preoperative treatment and operative techniquue. In one series a combined preoperative treatment with an antithyroid drug and 1-thyroxine was given and the recurrent nerves and parathyroid glands were routinely identified. In the other series no such operative routine was followed and iodine was given preoperatively. The complication rate was low in both series. There was no postoperative mortality. The existing differences, although subtle, in the frequency of recurrent nerve paralysis, postoperative hypoparathyroidism or hypothyroidism, as well as recurrent toxicosis, favoured the surgical approach with the combined preoperative treatment and a meticulous technique with identification of recurrent nerves and parathyroid glands.