Feasibility of total thyroidectomy for management of benign thyroid disease

Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of total thyroidectomy (TT) for the management of benign thyroid disease. Background The extent of thyroid resection in benign thyroid disease is controversial revolving around the potential risk of hypoparathyroidism and nerve injury. The potential advantage of TT is one stage removal of incidental thyroid cancer and low risk of goiter recurrence. Patients and methods This prospective study was done at Al-Azhar University Hospitals from October 2016 to April 2019. One hundred patients who underwent TT for clinically benign thyroid disease were enrolled. All patients were subjected to clinical evaluation, neck ultrasonography, vocal cord examinations, and investigations. Follow-up was done for all patients for 6 months. Results Of the 100 patients who were included in the study, 27 have Graves’ disease versus 73 have non-Graves’ disease, the age group range from 35 to 65 years old. The rate of transient hypocalcemia and temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was 25.9 versus 6.8% and 3.7 versus 2.7%, respectively. One patient suffered from postthyroidectomy bleeding in Graves’ group, and incidental thyroid cancer was found in two cases. Conclusion TT for benign thyroid disease can avoid reoperation for incidental thyroid cancer, recurrent nodular goiter, recurrent toxic goiter, and can eliminate any subsequent risk of malignant change in the residual thyroid gland.