Editorial

Role of Total Thyroidectomy in the Treatment of Thyroid Diseases

Authors: Alan N. Peiris, MD, PHD, MRCP (UK), Prith Peiris, MD

Abstract

Surgery on the thyroid gland has usually been reserved for patients with goiters accompanied by obstructive manifestations, malignancy and/or failed medical management. In their interesting paper, Misiakos et al1 discuss some of the potential benefits of using a total thyroidectomy in the management of both benign and malignant thyroid disease in Greece. The authors make a case for total thyroidectomy on account of the ease of monitoring thyroid status postsurgery, the less likelihood of recurrence and the lack of need for completion thyroidectomy if malignancy is subsequently noted. The authors make the provocative assertion that total thyroidectomy is the preferred surgical approach to both benign and malignant thyroid disease.

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References

1. Misiakos EP, Liakakos T, Macheras A, et al. Total thyroidectomy for the treatment of thyroid diseases in an endemic area. South Med J 2006;99:1224–1229.
 
2. Anton RC, Wheeler TM. Frozen section of thyroid and parathyroid specimens. Arch Pathol Lab Med2005;129:1575–1584.
 
3. Wong Z, Muthu C, Craik J, et al. Role of intraoperative frozen section in the management of thyroid nodules. ANZ J Surg 2004;74:1052–1055.
 
4. Testini M, Nacchiero M, Piccinni G, et al. Total thyroidectomy is improved by loupe magnification.Microsurgery 2004;24:39–42.
 
5. Snyder SK, Roberson CR, Cummings CC, et al. Local anesthesia with monitored anesthesia care vs general anesthesia in thyroidectomy: a randomized study. Arch Surg 2006;141:167–173.