TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY EXPERIENCE IN A TERTIARY CENTER IN SOUTH SOUTHERN NIGERIA, A THREE-YEAR PROSPECTIVE CROSS SECTIONAL REVIEW
BACKGROUND:
Thyroidectomy is a common surgery performed for thyroid disorders. It involves the removal of part or all of the thyroid tissue. Total thyroidectomy is being routinely performed as reported in literature. It is gradually gaining ground in our center.
AIM: To share the experiences of total thyroidectomies performed in a tertiary center in South Southern Nigeria.
METHODS:
This was a prospective analysis of patients who presented with anterior neck swellings over a three-year period from February 2019 to May 2022. Data were collected using the proforma. The data included only total or near total thyroidectomies performed. The patient characteristics were age, sex, complaint, histology results, diagnosis, outcome, follow up and complications. Ethical approval was obtained from the Hospital Ethics Committee and informed consent was obtained from each patient. The data were analyzed using computer based statistical software SPSS version 26.
RESULTS:
A total of 27 thyroidectomies were performed within this period. Out of the 27 thyroidectomies, 23 were total thyroidectomies; 2 were near total thyroidectomies; 1 was sis trunk procedure with total thyroidectomy; and 1 was near total thyroidectomy (Hartley DunHill). There was only one male patient. The rest were females. Hypocalcemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve paraesthesia were the complications noticed in 1 patient. The patient recovered from recurrent laryngeal nerve paraesthesia after six months. Most patients are currently on daily Levothyroxine.
CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy is considered to be safe as seen in most of our patients. But more in depth research may be required as regards Levothyroxine replacement for life.
KEY WORDS: total thyroidectomy, experience, tertiary center
