[Subtotal thyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy in the treatment of benign thyroid disease. Our experience]

During the period January 1989-December 1994, of 322 thyroid operations, 309 were benign. The pathologic changes in the excised thyroids were 18 benign adenoma, 291 goiter 9 of which with thyroiditis. 25 patients had undergone previous partial thyroidectomy. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 224 patients. There were no operative deaths. 77 (34.3%) patients developed postoperative hypocalcemia, 10 (2.7%) transient hypoparathyroidism, 4 (1.8%) permanent hypoparathyroidism, 3 (1.3%) transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies, 2 (0.9%) permanent nerve damages. In our experience total thyroidectomy is the gold standard for diffuse diseases of the thyroid, because, without more specific complication than subtotal thyroidectomy, it ensures: no recurrences, an easy control of postoperative hypothyroidism, the removal of microscopic malignant foci, the stopping of ophthalmopathy evolution.