[Analysis of complications of thyroid surgery: recurrent paralysis et hypoparathyroidism. On a series of 588 cases]

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to study the incidence of two main complications in thyroid surgery without systematic search for recurrent laryngeal nerve, by intracapsular thyroidectomy: temporary and chronic laryngeal recurrent paralysis (after six months), temporary hypoparathyroidism and chronic hypoparathyroidism (unrecovering normal function after six months). We have retrospectively analysed 588 patients from 1981 to 1994. There were 247 total or subtotal thyroidectomies and 341 loboisthmectomies (isolated thyroid nodules). We obtained over this 588 cases 0.3% of chronic laryngeal paralysis and 1.4% of chronic hypoparathyroidism. If the cost of surgery for thyroid nodules is low (0.3% of chronic recurrent paralysis and 0% of chronic hypoparathyroidism), it is more important for total or subtotal thyroidectomies (respectively 1.2% and 3.2%). We conclude that in thyroid surgery, there is no higher risk for the recurrent nerve without dissection of this one, but we note that, without obvious explanation, rates of permanent hypoparathyroidism are not better than in others publications.