Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Outcomes of Early Versus Delayed Completion Thyroidectomy for Malignancy
Jaimie J Park1, Ethan Frank2, Alfred A Simental2
1Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
Purpose:
To determine whether time interval between hemi-thyroidectomy and subsequent completion thyroidectomy impacts outcomes.
Methods:
Retrospective review of 68 patients having completion thyroidectomy from August 2012 to December 2019. Patients were separated into two groups based on the time interval between surgeries: early (≤10 days) or delayed (≥90 days).
Results:
Patients who underwent delayed completion thyroidectomy (n = 17) had significantly higher rates of hypocalcemia and/or hypoparathyroidism (P = .03) and higher rates of requiring postoperative hospitalization (P=.07) compared to those who underwent early completion thyroidectomy (n = 51). Delayed completion had significantly lower risk of developing one or more of dysphonia, dysphagia, or vocal cord paresis postoperatively (P=.02). No patients developed hematoma or wound infection.
Conclusions:
Delayed completion thyroidectomy is associated with increased rates of hypocalcemia, but lower rates of dysphonia and dysphagia. Given the low risk of long-term complications in both groups, it may be beneficial to perform completion thyroidectomy early in order to expedite cancer treatment.
