Total thyroidectomy in surgical treatment of euthyroid goiter

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the experiences and results achieved by a single surgeon using total thyroidectomy and partial exeresis in the treatment of uni- and multinodular euthyroid goiter. METHODS: The results of two groups of operations performed at two different periods were analysed: a more recent group (1995-97) in which management tended to prefer total thyroidectomy, and a retrospective group (1984-1994) in which a more conservative attitude was adopted to benign thyroid pathology. RESULTS: An analysis of the results and complications in each group showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the percentage of recurrent and parathyroid lesions during total thyroidectomy and partial exeresis. In practice, the risk of these lesions is higher during redo surgery for cancer and/or recurrence. The recidivation of goitrogenic pathology is high, amounting to around 29% of total cases. The most significant findings, however, which further justifies the use of total thyroidectomy is the increasingly frequent observation of "occult carcinomas" within the benign pathology, registered in the retrospective group (13.27%) and in the more recent one (12.35%). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this analysis, the authors confirm their support for the use of total thyroidectomy on principle as the correct and rational treatment for euthyroid goiter, and reserve the use of conservative treatment for single nodular lesions where it is possible to perform a correct hemithyroidectomy and isthmectomy following the patient's informed choice.