Preoperative evaluation and preparation of Graves′ disease: a report of 126 cases

Objective To analyze retrospectively preoperative evaluation and preparation in Graves′ disease patients with surgical treatment. Methods A total of 126 cases of Graves′ disease in our department from January 2015 to May 2021 were reviewed. Patient information including preoperative preparation, operative mode, postoperative pathological results and complications were collected. Results There were 27 males and 99 females with an average age of(42.4±14.3) years. Surgical indications were Graves′ disease with malignant tumour, airway compression and stenosis, retrosternal goiter, drug intolerance or hyperparathyroidism. There were 75 cases with thyroid papillary carcinoma including 47 cases with papillary microcarcinoma， and 2 cases with follicular carcinoma. Short-term postoperative complications were 11 cases with hoarseness among which 1 case was permanent, and 35 cases with hypocalcemia among which 1 case was permanent. Conclusions It is indicated that preoperative preparation for Graves′ disease requires individualization and refinement, which include iodine preparation, examination of airway condition and neural monitoring, the evaluation of parathyroid function, recurrent laryngeal nerve variation and malignant nodules.