Total, near-total and subtotal thyroidectomy - Which procedure in which case?

Abstract

The optimal extent of thyroidectomy for different thyroid diseases with surgical indications is controversial. Since the risk of reccurence for benign and malignant disease is a major consequence, more aggressive surgical management is believed to be warranted. Although there seems to be a strong selection bias in favor of the use of near-total and total thyroidectomy, more conservative approaches like subtotal or partial thyroidectomy have also been suggested for both benign / malignant conditions. ‘Which procedure, in which case’ has been a matter of debate. This debate is likely to continue. Advantages, disadvantages and the benefit-risk ratio have to be outweighed carefully. Herein, our objective was to find out the current place of the changing concepts of the extent of thyroidectomy in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.