Hypothyroidism following partial thyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of hypothyroidism following three types of partial thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: All cases of partial thyroidectomies (hemi-, near-total, or subtotal) carried out at one Israeli and one Russian medical center (1990-2006) were retrospectively studied to determine the incidence of hypothyroidism after each procedure. RESULTS: There were 881 near-total, 1538 subtotal, and 1051 hemithyroidectomies (total 3470). Postoperative follow-up was 2 to 15 years. Twenty-eight percent of the hemithyroidectomy patients suffered permanent hypothyroidism compared to 100% of the near-total and 87% of the subtotal patients. Forty-six percent of the hemithyroidectomy patients suffered temporary hypothyroidism compared to 100% of the near-total and 93% of the subtotal patients. CONCLUSION: Subtotal and near-total thyroidectomies produced a rate of hypothyroidism close to that of total thyroidectomy compared to 28% after hemithyroidectomy. SIGNIFICANCE: Partial thyroidectomies provide no decisive advantage over total thyroidectomies in terms of subsequent requirements of supplemental hormone therapy.