Outcome of surgery for toxic goitres in Maiduguri: a single teaching hospital's perspective

Thyrotoxicosis a common endocrine disorder of the thyroid gland in Nigeria is commonly treated surgically. The outcome of thyroidectomy for toxic goiters in Maiduguri Nigeria is evaluated.

Over the last 5 years (Jan 2005-July 2010) , in a prospective review, the demographic, and clinical data of patients operated for toxic goiters in our department was entered, into a predesigned proforma and analyzed. The objective of the study is to review our experience with subtotal and near-total thyroidectomy as treatment for benign toxic goiters.

Seventy-eight patients, 11 males (14.1%) and 67 females (85.9%), with male: female ratio of 1:6.1 and the mean age of 30 ± 10.9 (range, 17-65 years), underwent thyroidectomy for toxic goiters. The mean duration of symptoms was 41.9 (range 3-126 months). There were 53 patients with toxic diffuse goiters (Grave's disease) with their mean age of 27.6 ± 6.93 (range 17-38 years), 23 with toxic multinodular goiters, the mean age of 43.7 ± 15.68 (range 17-65 years) and two with toxic nodule. There was no case of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy or permanent hypocalcemia. Transient hypocalcemia occurred in 9 (11.5%) patients and hemorrhage with hematoma, requiring exploration in 4 (5.1%). There were two cases of wound infection and no postoperative mortality. The mean hospital stay was 7.6 ± 2.34 (range 5-15 days). There was no disease recurrence over a mean follow-up of 20.7 (range 2-48) months.

Subtotal thyroidectomy is an effective procedure for the treatment of thyrotoxicosis with few postoperative complications and majority of patients being euthyroid after long follow-up.