Abstract

In this study, 1443 operations performed for surgical diseases of the thyroid gland in 1440 patients between 1986 and 1993 were evaluated as primary (n=1367) and reoperative procedures (n=76). Eighty-nine percent of the patients were women and 11% were men. Mean age was found to be 45 years. The rate of unilateral vocal cord paralysis (6.6%) and temporary hypoparathyroidisim (3.9%) following reoperative procedures was found to be significantly higher than primary thyroidectomy (p<0.0001 and p<0.005 respectively). In conclusion, sufficient surgical treatment of the primary thyroid disease is necessary in order to prevent recurrence and avoid the complications related to reoperative surgery.