ES24P TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY AND POST OPERATIVE HYPOCALCAEMIA: A REVIEW OF OUR PRACTICE AT THE LAUNCESTON GENERAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Traditionally subtotal thyroidectomy has been the preferred operation for benign thyroid diseases such as Grave's disease and multinodular goitre. Towards the end of the 21st century total thyroidectomy has been the operation of choice. However there have been concerns that there is likely to be a larger percentage of patients to suffer from temporary and permanent hypocalcaemia. At the Launceston General Hospital total thyroidectomy has been preferred operation. There has not been an audit previously however anecdotally we do not perceive a high rate of complication. This study was a retrospective analysis of patient data from January 1996 to June 2008. The records for all patients that had undergone a total thyroidectomy for either malignant or benign disease at Launceston General Hospital was collected and reviewed. A total of 159 patients had undergone a total thyroidectomy from January 1996 to June 2008. The operations were performed by 12 different surgeons, however 4 surgeons performed the bulk of the operations (80%). The median age of patients was 54. 82% (130) of the study group were female. 89% (141) of the cases were performed for benign disease of the thyroid. 18% (29) patients had a post‐op calcium level less than 2.0. 7 (4.4%) of patients required long term supplements, however 4 out of the 7 had total thyroidectomies for malignant disease. Total thyroidectomy for benign disease of the thyroid is an operation associated with low mortality and morbidity. Hypocalcaemia is a problem that is encountered with this type of operation. Our results show that we have an acceptable rate of hypocalcaemia post total thyroidectomy, hence an appropriate operation for benign disease of the thyroid.