Reoperation for postoperative recurrence of hyperthyroidism:a report of 34 cases

Objective To investigate the causes, the indications and operative procedures of reoperation for postoperative recurrence of hyperthyroidism. Method Clinical data of 34 cases of postoperative recurrence of hyperthyroidism received reoperation were analyzed retrospectively .Results The reoperative procedures including bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy in 29 cases, unilateral thyroidectomy in 5. All the 34 patients were cured by reoperation.The incidence of postoperative complication was 5.9%,which was not significantly different compared with primary operation treatment during the same time in our hospital.All the 34 case were followed up for 1～10 years,the results showed that all patients were alive well without recurrence or hypothyroidism .Conclusions Extension of the resected thyoid is not enough in the primary surgery is the main cause of postoperative recurrence of hyperthyroidism.Reoperation is the choise of therapy in selective patients with postoperative hyperthyroidsm recurrence .Careful intraoperative dissection can help to avoid injuries of recurrent nerve and parathyroid,and to prevent massive bleeding.