Postoperative Complications of Surgical Treatment for Graves' Disease

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 1999;15(1):61-65.
Published online May 30, 1999.

Hang Seok Chang;Jong Kwan Kim;Woong Youn Chung;Cheong Soo Park

그레이브스병의 갑상선 절제술후 합병증

장항석;김종관;정웅윤;박정수

Abstract

Introduction: The surgical treatment of Graves' disease has several advantage such as rapid and long lasting therapeutic effect, relatively low incidence of postoperative hypothyroidism and recurrence. Because of less frequent but serious postoperative complications, the operation have not been casually used for treatment of Graves' disease. Hypoclacemia, hoarseness and hematomas are common complications after operative treatment. However, the causative mechanisms of these complications have not been well explained. Objective: We aimed to analyze the risk factors affecting the occurance of complications in surgical treatment for Graves' disease and to evaluate what are the causative mechanisms of postoperative complications. Patients and Methods: From January 1985 to December 1998, a total of 668 surgically treated patients for Graves' disease were enrolled in this study. The incidence of postoperative complications were analyzed in relation to types of surgery, preoperaive preparation, specimen weight, bleeding amount and remnant weight.
Results
Postoperative complication was developed in 108(16.2%) of 668 patients. The most common complication was transient hypocalcemia in 85 cases(12.7%). Other complications were: Hematoma in 9 cases(1.3%), transient hoarseness in 5 cases(0.7%), permanent hypocalcemia in 6 cases(0.9%), permanent hoarseness in 3 case(0.4%). The important etiologic factors affecting the occurance of complications were preoperative preparation, perioperative thyroid weight, and remnant thyroid weight. Since 1993, the incidence of complication was more decreased than that in before.
Conclusion
To decrease the incidence of postoperative complications of Graves' disease, the patients should be selected carefully, sufficient preoperative preparation should be achieved, and the operation should be performed by well-experienced surgeons.

Key Words: Graves' disease, Postoperative complications