[Total thyroidectomy to prevent recurrence of benign thyroid goiter]

Surgical approach of benign nodules and goiters in euthyroid patients is not yet well definite concerning the latent of the resection: has it to be large (for avoiding recurrence) of thrifty (in the aim of decreasing the necessity of postoperative thyroid replacement therapy)? We reviewed the results of 338 surgical thyroidectomies in patients followed at least 7 years. 87.36% of them had diffuse pathological abnormalities. Recurrence level was 1.68% in this group, occurring in an average delay of 10 years after the first thyroidectomy. Another study group concerned 47 patients operated for a recurrence in an average of 13.9 years after the first thyroidectomy (mean age at the first thyroidectomy: 35 years). Post operative sequellae after one thyroidectomy or after a second for recurrence seemed not statistically different. Recurrence rate is not important, but it is probably underevaluated by the frequent absence of long-term follow-up. Total thyroidectomy avoids it, and its sequellae are comparable with those observed after reoperation for recurrence. The surgical choice is between the acceptation of a possible recurrence and the necessity of an indefinite thyroid replacement therapy.