Benign thyroid disease Treatment notes
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Abstract
AIM: The treatment of benign thyroid disease is a topic widely debated, ranging from “Lobectomy” to “Total Thyroidectomy”.
This study aims to contribute to the thinking on treatment strategies for benign thyroid disease.
MATERIALS OF STUDY: Thirty five patients underwent surgical treatment following the pre-surgical diagnosis of benign thyroid disease between 2003 and 2005 at the Complex Unit of General and Geriatric Surgery at the Second University of Naples (S.U.N.). In 26 cases total thyroidectomies were performed, in 3 subtotal thyroidectomies, in 6 simple lobectomies.
DISCUSSION: Post-surgical course was optimal in the majority of cases. The large number of total thyroidectomies performed is consistent with the trend favoured by this type of strategy.
When backed by FNA, non-radical surgery can be opted with greater confidence for single nodules and when surgical risks are high. The refinement of surgical techniques and directions for the identifying and preparing the recurrent nerve have enabled a radical approach in treating thyroid nodular disease.
CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, for a solitary nodule with residual diseased parenchyma we believe total thyroidectomy should be prescribed. If, however, the residual parenchyma is unharmed a lobectomy may be considered.
In conclusion, we recommend the individual assessment of each pathology, though we favour total thyroidectomy