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Introduction: The objective of this study was to analyze the complication rates after completion thyroidectomy and compare them with primary total benign and malign thyroidectomy causes in total of 647 patients., Patients and Methods: Among 647 patients, there were 159 receiving completion thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) (Group 1); 217 patients receiving total thyroidectomy for DTC (Group 2) and 271 given total thyroidectomy for benign diseases (Group 3)., Results: When groups were compared for complications, there were no significant difference except temporary hypocalcemia between completion thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy for DTC. When the total thyroidectomies were compared (Group 2 and 3), there were no significant difference observed except unilateral temporary RLN palsy., Conclusion: With improvements in surgical technique and experience, complication rates of thyroidectomy performed for benign or malign diseases are reduced. In spite of the improvement in surgical experience, temporary RLN palsy and hypoparathyroidism are the main complications in completion thyroidectomies which need special attention. To evaluate the patients more carefully in preoperative period and performing adequate thyroidectomy appears more logical.

Objective: To assess the effect of truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy on the incidence of hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy. :Design: Prospective non-randomised study. :Setting: Teaching hospital, Turkey. :Subjects: 216 patients who had bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy for non-toxic nodular goitre between 1990 and 1996. :Interventions: The trunk of the each inferior thyroid artery was simply ligated during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy. :Main outcome measures: Clinical examination, and measurement of serum calcium, ionised calcium, and inorganic phosphate concentrations before and after operation. :Results: Four patients (2%) had low concentrations of total and ionised calcium during the postoperative period. On physical examination three of them had spasms of the facial nerve, as seen in tetany. They were given calcium supplements orally and their laboratory results returned to reference ranges within 180 days. No patients developed permanent hypocalcaemia. :Conclusion: Truncal ligation of the inferior thyroid arteries during bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy has no effect on the incidence of hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]