A fifteen year experience of total thyroidectomy for the management of simple multinodular goitres in a low medium income country

• Published in: South African journal of surgery Vol. 54; no. 4; pp. 40 - 45
• Main Authors: Afolabi, A.O., Afuwape, O.O., Ayandipo, O.O., Ogundoyin, O.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa Medpharm Publications 01.11.2016
• Subjects: Ostomy; Thyroxine
• ISSN: 0038-2361; 2078-5151

Introduction: Total thyroidectomy as a treatment for simple multinodular goitre is not well recognised in most centres in low middle income countries.Methods: This paper is a retrospective review of outcomes of total thyroidectomy for simple multinodular goitres in the last fifteen years in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.Results: A total of 652 thyroidectomies were done from January 2001 to December 2015. Simple multinodular goitres were indication for a total thyroidectomy in 447 patients (68.6%) with a male to female ratio of 1:6. Postoperative complications were hypocalcaemia in 22 (4.9%), unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 13 (2.8%) and haemorrhage in 2 patients. Others were seroma and cellulitis. Tracheostomy was required in 35 (5.8%) patients but none was permanent.Conclusion: Total thyroidectomy is a relatively safe treatment option for patients who have simple multinodular goitre. It provides a permanent cure with a low postoperative morbidity risk. The burden of replacement l-thyroxine needs to be discussed with the patients.