Subtotal Versus Total Thyroidectomy for Benign Goiter

The extent of thyroid resection in bilateral multinodular non-toxic goiter remains controversial. Surgeons still continue to debate whether the potential benefits of total thyroidectomy outweigh the potential complications. Most low-volume surgeons avoid to perform total thyroidectomy owing to the possible complications such as permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and permanent hypoparathyroidism. On the other hand, the increasing number of total thyroidectomies are currently performed in high-volume endocrine surgery units, and the indication for this procedure include thyroid cancer, Graves disease and multinodular goiter. Recently there has been increasing acceptance for performing total thyroidectomy for bilateral multinodular non-toxic goiter as it removes the disease process completely, lowers local recurrence rate and avoids the substantial risk of reoperative surgery, and involves only a minimal risk of morbidity. This common perception is based largely on single-institution retrospective data, a few multi-institutional retrospective experiences, and only a few small prospective studies comparing the outcomes of total vs. subtotal thyroidectomy.

Inclusion criteria

• a benign bilateral thyroid disease with the posterior aspects of both thyroid lobes appearing normal on ultrasound of the neck.

Exclusion criteria

• thyroid disease involving the posterior aspect/s of thyroid lobe/s,
• suspicion of thyroid cancer,
• previous thyroid surgery,
• pregnancy or lactation,
• age < 18 years or > 65 years,
• ASA 4 grade (American Society of Anesthesiology),
• and inability to comply with the follow-up protocol.