[Results of the surgical treatment of thyrotoxicosis]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the surgical treatment of patients with thyrotoxicosis in three surgical clinics in Plovdiv. PATIENTS AND MEDHOTS: We studied 90 patients, who underwent surgical treatment for thyrotoxicosis between 2000-2004. Of those 19 men (21%) and 71 women (79%); men:women = 1:3.74; mean age 38 +/- 8.3 years. The nosological distribution was as follows: Graves' disease--72 subjects (80.00%), solitary toxic adenoma--4 subjects (4.40%), toxic nodular goiter--14 subjects (15.60%). 77 subtotal thyroidectomies (85%) and 9 total thyroidectomies were performed. Patients with solitary toxic adenoma underwent lobectomy.

Massive bleeding witch required revision and haemostasis was encountered in 1 patient. Transient laryngeal nerve injury occurred in 3 patients (3.33%), and temporary hypoparathyroidism in 6 subjects (6.67%), necessitating calcium supplementation. One year postoperatively, 49.35% (n = 38) of the patients who have undergone subtotal thyroidectomy were euthyroid, 45.45% (n = 35) developed hypothyroidism, and 5.2% (n = 4) relapsed.

Our results indicate that surgery is safe and effective for patients with thyrotoxicosis referred for radical treatment. Because of the high rate of postoperative thyroid disfunction, assessment of the non-operative factors, witch influence the functional results, is recommended.