Background and Objectives : Despite the fact that the rate of complications is constantly decreasing, the immediate and severe complications of thyroid surgery emphasize the need for precise surgical techniques and to provide patients with the
most
benefical treatment that results in lower morbidity. To clarify the safety of thyroid surgery, 147 thyroidectomy cases were reviewed. Materials and Methods : From April 1998 through March 2000, 147 thyroidectomies were performed at the
otolaryngologic
department. The risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve lesion is based on the number of nerves at risk, and the risk of hypocalcemia is based on the number of patients undergoing bilateral procedures, or contralateral surgery in patients previously
operated on. The risk of superior laryngeal nerve injury is based on the number of all thyroidectomies. Results : The number of nerves at risk was 210. The rate of postoperative permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was 1.4% (3/210), which is
iatrogenic. Four recurrent nerves (1.9%) invaded by cancer were sacrificed intentionally. Transient paralysis was found in 1.4% of the cases (3/210). Transient superior laryngeal nerve injury was found in 0.7% (1/147), all within one month of
recovery.
Of 89 patients undergoing dissection of both thyroid lobes, 1.1% (1/89) developed postoperative permanent hypocalcemia. Transient postoperative hypocalcemia was found in 7 patients (7.9%), with a recovery period ranging from one to two weeks.
Postoperative bleeding, infection, and seroma were not noted in this study. Conclusion : The data strongly indicate that careful surgical techniques, understanding of anatomic variation and surgical experiences hold the clue for a low rate of
complications following thyroid surgery.
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