[Complications and sequelae of thyroid surgery]

A series of 408 operations performed on the thyroid gland is presented. The mortality rate was 0.25 per cent, and late recurrent nerve paralysis occurred in 2.2 per cent of the cases. This complication was independent of the disease and of the type of operation. Contrary to temporary recurrent nerve paralysis, which occurs with large goitres, it was observed in patients with small thyroid glands. Six patients had transient hypocalcaemia but none developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. The benign character of thyroid gland surgery is emphasized. The main morbidity, recurrent nerve paralysis, could be reduced by a strict surgical technique. Systematic parathyroid gland dissection and reimplantation account for the absence of late hypoparathyroidism.