OBJECTIVE: To study the complications in total thyroidectomies and the safety of total thyroidectomy. METHOD: Retrospective analyses 351 cases underwent total thyroidectomy in our department. Preoperative and postoperative electronic laryngoscopy were used to assess the vocal cord function. All patients have serum calcium analysis on the operative day and 3rd and 7th day after operation. RESULT: Temporary hypocalcaemia occurred in 47.01% after total thyroidectomy, but only 15.67% with severe symptom temporarily,and 21.37% with temporary mild numbness. Permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 0.85% patients. None with bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and temporary unilateral vocal cord palsy occurred in 1.42% patients and permanent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 0.56% patients. CONCLUSION Total thyroidectomy is safe with low complications.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Safety ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Young Adult