Retrospective Analysis of Patients Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy for the Last Three Years in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: The incidence of thyroid disorders has increased in the past decade in South India and the increase may be attributed to the phenomenon of overdiagnosis. The thyroid gland secretes hormones, which have various metabolic effects in the body. Most commonly the patients with thyroid disorders present with symptoms of hyperthyroid, hypothyroid and at times, though euthyroid, they may develop a swelling in the neck that has been caused by a goiter (single/multiple), thyroiditis, Grave’s disease, or thyroid carcinoma. In these conditions where there is an associated hyperthyroid or hypothyroid state, it is essential for the consulting physician to provide appropriate management with the aim of bringing the thyroid gland to a euthyroid state prior to further surgical methods. These benign and malignant conditions are initially medically managed but, surgical interventions are indicated sometimes. Total thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, partial thyroidectomy, hemi thyroidectomy are the most common surgical procedures performed. Among these procedures, the total thyroidectomy procedure has been gaining an increase of incidence in the past decade.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to analyze the indication rate of various conditions requiring total thyroidectomy surgery, to analyze the most affected age group and sex and to know if the incidence rate coincides with the known international standard. The post-operative complication incidence is also analyzed.

Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted over a period of three years at Department of General Surgery, Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam.

Results: The study shows an increased occurrence between 21-40 years old age group, mostly affecting the female population. Nodular goiter is the most common indication for total thyroidectomy surgery, carcinomas are the second most common. Among carcinomas, papillary is the most common type observed in this study.

Conclusion: Total thyroidectomy is effective in treating several thyroid disorders and the risk of recurrence in subtotal, partial or hemi thyroidectomy outweighs the risk of complication during surgery in total thyroidectomy.