Surgical treatment of goiter at a central hospital. A consecutive study with special emphasis on surgical complications

: The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency of permanent and transient complications following thyroid gland surgery. During a period of four years, from 1991 to 1995, 129 patients were treated operatively for thyroid disease. Sixteen patients were operated for thyrotoxicosis and 113 for nontoxic goitre. Nine patients underwent reoperation for recurrent goitre. Thyroid malignancy was found in two patients. The frequency of permanent complications was 0.7%. Transient unilateral pareses developed postoperatively in two patients. There were no permanent vocal cord paralyses. One patient developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. Five patients had transient postoperative hypocalcaemia requiring calcium supplements. Other complications were haemorrhage (3.8%), wound infection (0.7%) and other postoperative complications (1.5%). It is shown that uncomplicated thyroid surgery may be performed at a district hospital that has a special interest in patient evaluation, indications for surgery and up to date surgical technique.