Complications of 2,028 operations for benign thyroid disease. Quantitative significance of various risk factors
Agerbaek, H.; Pilegaard, H.K.; Watt-Boolsen, S.; Spangsberg, N.; Madsen, M.R.; Laursen, C.N.; Blichert-Toft, M.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 150(9): 533-536
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 3354112 Document Number: 310110
During a six-year period from 1978-84, all operations for benign thyroid disease in five hospitals in Denmark were investigated retrospectively as regards early complications (vocal cord paralysis, postoperative hypoparathyroidism, delayed wound bleeding, wound infection, scar problems and other problems); a total of 2,028 operations. The sex ratio F/M was 8:1. One third of the patients were operated upon for thyrotoxicosis and two thirds for non-toxic goitre. The total frequency of complications was 7.5%. A highly significant positive correlation was found between the frequency of complications and amount of thyroid tissue resected, from 4.3% in weight class less than 40 g up to 16% in weight classes over 120 g. This correlation was significant for transient and permanent vocal cord paralysis (p < 0,0002), for transient and permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism (p < 0,0004) and for delayed wound bleeding (p < 0,02). Where thyrotoxicosis was concerned, 11.3% of operations presented complications compared to a 5.1% complication frequency in non-toxic goitre operations (p < 0,001). Difference in goitre size in the two groups could not explain the difference in complication frequency. Reoperation had a complication frequency of 13.8% versus 7.0% in patients operated on for the first time (p < 0,01).