The Predictable Factors of Hypothyroidism Following to Thyroid Lobectomy / 대한내분비외과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Thyroid lobectomy is one of the common operative procedures in patients with benign thyroid nodules. The procedure is relatively feasible, but some patients who receive lobectomies have the complications, such as nerve injury, hypocalcemia, and hypothyroidism. We examined the frequency of hypothyroidism and predictable factor following thyroid lobectomy due to benign thyroid nodules. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was carried out on 212 patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy to benign nodules from January 2005 to May 2010. The risk factors, including sex, age at diagnosis, thyroid function test results, existence of thyroiditis, thyroid volume, and results of the preand post-operation thyroid ultrasounds, were analyzed between euthyroidism and hypothyroidism groups. RESULTS: The rate of hypothyroidism was 17%. In the univariate analysis, age, multiplicity of nodules, thyroiditis, preoperative levels of Tg and TSH, and thyroid volume were significantly predictable factors of hypothyroidism. In the multivariate analysis, the significant factors associated with hypothyroidism were being over 40 years old, having a preoperative TSH of more than 2 mlU/L, and having a small thyroid volume. CONCLUSION: Hypothyroidism following lobectomy is not disasterous complication. We should discuss the possibility of postoperative hypothyroidism carefully with patients before operation, especially when we plan to perform lobectomy on the patients who are over 40, have high TSH levels before surgery, or have a small thyroid volume.