Outcomes of completion thyroidectomy in well-differentiated thyroid cancers: A retrospective clinical study

Aim: In patients with suspected follicular or H & uuml;rtle cell neoplasia in the pre-surgery fine needle aspiration biopsy, who are found to have compatible malignancy after unilateral surgery, complementary thyroidectomy can be performed. We aimed to evaluate the malignancy rate and complications following complementary thyroid surgery in light of the current literature. Material and Methods: Complementary thyroidectomy was performed in 85 patients with pathology compatible with differentiated thyroid cancer after lobectomy-isthmectomy. These procedures were part of a retrospective analysis of 204 patients with suspected follicular or H & uuml;rtle cell neoplasia between January 2016 and June 2021. The pathology results after completion thyroidectomy and surgical complications within 1 year postoperatively were evaluated. Results: After unilateral lobectomy-isthmectomy was performed on 204 patients, 85 patients whose final pathology results were compatible with differentiated thyroid cancer were retrospectively screened. The initial pathology results were divided into three groups: microinvasive tumors, tumors with a diameter of 4 cm or less, and tumors with a diameter greater than 4 cm. Their rates were 22.3%, 57.7% and 20%, respectively. The number of patients whose pathology results were compatible with differentiated tumor after completion thyroidectomy were 5, 15 and 7, respectively. Postoperative complications were evaluated as early (within the first 6 months) and late (after 6 months). In the surgical area, hematoma was seen in 8.2% of patients, transient hypocalcemia in 2.3%, and temporary hoarseness in 2.3%. There were no patients with permanent hypocalcemia or hoarseness. Discussion: The decision to perform complementary thyroidectomy should be based on the pathology results after lobectomy-isthmectomy to avoid the complications associated with secondary thyroidectomy.