[Thyroidectomy in Aust-Agder. A 15-year material 1979-92].

: In the 15-year period from 1978 to 1992 344 consecutive patients unselected underwent thyroid surgery. The annual operative incidence per 100,000 inhabitants was 2.5 for cancer, 2.3 for Graves' disease and 20.5 for benign nodules. The patients were followed up from 3 to 18 years after surgery. The operative mortality was zero, but complications were recorded in 5.8% of the cases. There was permanent hypoparathyroidism in four patients and unilateral permanent vocal cord paralysis in six. No patients had bilateral paralysis. For better selection in cases with nodular goiter, fine needle aspiration cytology should be standard procedure. The results presented are in accordance with others which relate to benign nodular goiter. However, with regard to the smaller groups, cancer and Graves' disease, results could possibly be improved by centralizing the operative treatment for each speciality, which would have to be defined.