[Complications and sequelae of benign thyroid surgery]

A series of 640-operations performed on benign thyroid gland during 8 years is presented. The pre and post operative mortality is 0.62 per cent. Late recurrent nerve paralysis occurred in 2.6 per cent. 27 patients had transit hypocalcemia and 8 had permanent hypoparathyroidism or 1.2 per cent. These complications has been studied in relation with patient benign thyroid affection and operation. In case of thyroidectomy without search for recurrent laryngeal nerve, nervous paralysis are frequent when if parathyroid gland are rare, for these lata are protected. Systematic dissection of recurrent nerve reduce nervous sequelae, but increase hypoparathyroidism, mainly by devascularisation of parathyroids glands. Complications and sequelae of thyroid surgery can yet be reduced by a rigorous surgical technic, a most sure experience and a systematic dissection of recurrent nerve and gland parathyroid in case of bilateral operation.