Does Thyroxin Prevent Goiter Recurrence after Subtotal Thyroidectomy?

Abstract

Background: One of the most acknowledged problem of thyroid surgery is the reoccurring thyroid enlargement. Many circumstance that affiliated to this botheration detection of these facts may be valuable in avoidance of recurrence of goiter. Aim To search relativity among indecorous thyroxin intake followed by the procedure of subtotal thyroid surgery and reoccurring thyroid enlargement. Study pattern: Descriptive analysis by cross sectioning. Setting: Department of Surgery at Central Park teaching hospital, Lahore Duration of study: one year and six months (Apr 2016 to Aug, 2017). Methods: 60 cases of recurrent thyroid enlargement were received. Demographic features were recorded with special stress to age & sex during which the patient got suffered from thyroid enlargement was inquired and history of post-surgery thyroxin intake was also explored. Thyroid scan was done of each patient to locate the area of recurrent thyroid enlargement. Results: largely the case were of 20±35 years' age (n= 32). The mean age of all the cases included in our research work was 38.45 ± 10.849 years. There were 53 females (88.3%) and 7 males (11.7%) cases. The male to female ratio was 1:7.5. Most of the cases started to grow their thyroid enlargement in 3 ± 6 years following primary surgery 38(63.3%). 42 cases never take thyroxine following primary operation and 18 had on and off intake of thyroxine while total patients were sixty (n= 60). Conclusion: Indecorous thyroxin intake after thyroidectomy and improper techniques for the procedure of primary thyroidectomy are the key reasons that can lead to reappearance of goiter especially in young adults.