[Early results after minimal lobectomy for benign nodular goiter]

Following traditional operations (enucleation and subtotal resection) for benign nodular goiters recurrences may develop. Reoperations for this condition can cause complications, such as hypoparathyroidism and damage of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. That is why total thyroidectomy is recommended by many specialists in benign thyroid disease. We performed lobectomy on one side, and, if necessary, partial resection on the other side. Lobectomy was performed on one side in 31 cases, with partial resections on the other side in 73 patients. We tried to identify the parathyroid glands and both recurrent laryngeal nerves. Postoperative complications were evaluated. Temporary dysfunction of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was detected in 2.3%, permanent damage in 1.1%. Temporary hypocalcaemia developed in 16.4%, permanent hypocalcemia in 1.9%. Two reoperations were necessary for bleeding. Because of the low postoperative complication rate we recommend this method as an alternative to thyroidectomy for benign nodular goiters. We know that our favourable results can be compared with traditional subtotal resection and thyroidectomy when long term results of thyroid function and data about nodular recurrences will be collected.