The evaluation of the complications observed in patients with bilateral total and bilateral near total thyroidectomy

The objective was to compare the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) injuries in patients with bilateral total thyroidectomy (BTT) and bilateral near total thyroidectomy (BNTT) with the frequency of the hypocalcemic complications regarding the operation procedures.

Patients, who underwent BTT and BNTT in our clinic between January 1999 and January 2011, were included in this retrospective clinical study. Patients' files are evaluated. Demographic information, pre-operative complete blood cell count and biochemical analysis, thyroid function tests, ultrasonographic results, results of the fine needle aspiration biopsy, implemented operative procedures (BTT or BNTT), vocal cord investigation, post-operative calcium levels, postoperative complications were analyzed.

In 328 of 408 (80.4%) patients BTT was the preferred method and 80 underwent BNTT (19.6 %). Postoperative hypocalcemia was observed in 59 patients in the BTT group (17.9 %) and in 11 patients in the BNTT group (13.7 %) . Hypocalcemia persisted in 8 patients in BTT group (2.4 %) and in 6 patients in BNTT group (7.5%). Unilateral RLN paralysis was observed in 22 patients in BTT group (6.7 %) and in 13 patients in the BNTT group (16.2 %).

In this study, the likelihood of the temporary RLN paralysis and permanent hypoparathyroidism is found to be higher in the patients with BNTT compared to the patients with BTT. BNTT may be the preferred choice of treatment in suitable patients.

Complication, Hypocalcemia, Nervus laryngealis recurrens, Nervus laryngealis superior, Thyroidectomy.