SAFETY OF COMPLETION THYROIDECTOMY FOR MULTICENTRIC CARCINOMA

The role of completion thyroidectomy after lobectomy for well-differen tiated thyroid carcinoma remains controversial. The purpose of the pre sent study is to compare the relative safety of a one-stage versus a t wo-stage approach in the management of thyroid cancer. Thirty consecut ive patients with thyroid carcinoma were studied. In 14 patients, froz en-section diagnosis of carcinoma allowed total thyroidectomy at the i nitial operation. In 16 patients, carcinoma was found only on permanen t section; thus, completion thyroidectomy was undertaken as a second s tage. Transient hypocalcemia occurred in one patient in each group (on e-stage, 7%; two-stage, 6%). There was one unilateral recurrent nerve paresis in the one-stage group and none in the two-stage group. We con clude that a two-stage procedure is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of thyroid cancer and can be employed in those instances in which the diagnosis of malignancy is insecure at the initial opera tion.