Experience of thyroid surgery at tertiary referral centers in Jazan Hospitals, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Benign multinodular goiter (BMNG) is a common disease of the thyroid gland with palpable thyroid nodules that may be detected in 0.8%–1.5% of men and 5.3%–6.4% of women. Three major complications could be detected after total thyroidectomy: hemorrhage, recurrent laryngeal paralysis, and hypoparathyroidism. AIMS: The aim of this study was to review and assess the experience of total thyroidectomy in patients with BMNG at tertiary referral centers in Jazan Hospitals, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 320 patients diagnosed with BMNG and subjected to primary total thyroidectomy. Operative mortality and major complications [bleeding, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, and hypoparathyroidism] were recorded. RESULTS: Postoperative hemorrhage was reported in four patients (1.25%). Bilateral RLN injuries occurred in two patients (0.6%), whereas unilateral RLN injuries occurred in nine patients (2.8%). Permanent hypoparathyroidism was diagnosed in three patients (0.9%), while transient hypoparathyroidism occurred in eight patients (2.5%) and improved after 4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Total thyroidectomy represents today the treatment of choice for BMNG. Proper preoperative preparations, meticulous surgical dissection with careful follow-up of patients will improve the surgical results and reduce postoperative complications.