Thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism in children

Between November 1964 and August 1978, 66 patients underwent subtotal thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism. Fifty-seven of these patients have been followed for more than 2 yr postoperatively and form the basis for this report. The mean age of these patients was 11 7/12 yr. There wre no deaths in this series and no recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries. Hyperthyroidism recurred in 4 patients from 10 to 60 mo following surgery (mean of 30 mo). Patients with relapse had a significantly larger gland at operation, but no difference in estimated thyroid remnant. Those patients with larger glands at exploration need a relatively larger percentage of the gland removed to prevent recurrent hyperthyroidism.