Hemithyroidectomy for unilateral thyroid disease

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology
• Thyroid Disease Management

Background:

• Unilateral nodular thyroid disease often necessitates surgical intervention.
• Hemithyroidectomy is a common surgical approach for localized thyroid conditions.
• Comparing hemithyroidectomy outcomes with more extensive thyroid resections is crucial for treatment optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the recurrence and hypothyroidism rates following hemithyroidectomy for unilateral nodular thyroid disease.
• To evaluate the advantages of hemithyroidectomy compared to bilateral radical thyroid resections.

Main Methods:

• Fifty patients with unilateral thyroid disease underwent hemithyroidectomy.
• Postoperative follow-up included thyroid function tests and annual ultrasonography.
• Recurrence (nodule ≥ 5 mm) and need for thyroxine therapy were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The recurrence rate was 12% after a mean follow-up of 25.2 months.
• Clinical hypothyroidism requiring thyroxine therapy occurred in 8% of patients.
• Preoperative factors and nodule characteristics did not predict recurrence or thyroxine need.

Conclusions:

• Hemithyroidectomy for unilateral thyroid disease presents a moderate recurrence risk.
• Low rates of hypothyroidism and rare postoperative complications are associated with this procedure.
• Hemithyroidectomy offers benefits including a short hospital stay.