[Surgical treatment of benign recurrent goiter. Technique, complications and permanent sequelae]

Centre experience of reoperation for recurrent goitre in 82 patients during an 11-year period is analysed. The lateralposterior approach is used as a standard surgical technique. Postoperative complications are prevalent only among patients previously operated on the thyroid gland twice or more, among patients with recurrent intrathoracic goitre, and among patients with large goitre relapse. Frequency of permanent unilateral vocal cord paresis amounts to 3.6%. There were no cases of bilateral recurrent nerve damage. The incidence of hypocalcemia requiring permanent treatment reaches 1.2%. Centre experience tends to reduce surgical complications rates with increasing specialized training. The surgical treatment for recurrent goitre ought to be radical to avoid further relapses. We recommend lobectomy in cases of unilateral recurrence and lobectomy of the dominant lobe with contralateral resection in case of bilateral relapse.