Results of surgical treatment for hyperthyroidism

In a 10-year period (1967-1977) 273 patients were operated upon for hyperthyroidism at the Department of Surgery of the St. Franciscus Gasthuis, Rotterdam. The evaluation of the results was carried out in 1978. A total of 205 patients appeared for investigations and drawing of blood samples. Total resection of one thyroid lobe and subtotal resection of the other lobe was the procedure of choce.

85% of the patients were euthyroid at the follow-up; 7% of the patients had a recurrent hyperthyroidism and 8% became hypothyroid. In three cases a persistent unilateral vocal cord paralysis was encountered. Surgery remains an effective and satisfactory method of treatment for appropriately selected cases, with a low rate of immediate and late complications.