Changes in pattern of thyroid surgical diseases in Zewditu Hospital, Addis Ababa

Three hundred and thirty four patients were operated for thyroid diseases in five years time between 1996-2000. This figure constitutes 7 percent of all operations done in the same hospital during the same period. Female to male ratio was 6.6, and the majority (73.6%) of patients were in the age group between 20 and 50 years. Based on histopathology, their clinical findings, operative findings and biochemical analysis, the following pattern was observed: multinodular goiter made up the majority (54.2%) and solitary nodule accounted for 23.1% of the cases. Toxic goiter both nodular and diffuse together constituted 11.4%. Thyroid cystic diseases accounted for 2.7%. Only four patients were diagnosed and operated for thyroiditis. Post operative complication, hematoma and respiratory obstruction, were seen in 12% of the cases. There were only two deaths. They were cases of differentiated carcinoma that accounted for 2.7%. The study has observed significant increase (P < 0.05) in hyperthyroid thyroid diseases when compared with the findings observed in the same setting 25 years ago. Though it is not statistically significant, malignancy as an indication of operative management has increased. The number of deaths from thyroid surgery has decreased.