Total thyroidectomy using intracapsular dissection: the technique, complications, and surgical outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Background Diseases of the thyroid gland are common with a prevalence of 4–7% in the general population, the incidence being higher in endemic areas. Surgical removal is one of the most important treatments for thyroid swellings and it is very important for both the surgeon and patient to understand the surgery, its complications and the outcome. The most frequent complications of thyroid surgeries are related to the injury of recurrent laryngeal nerves or metabolic derangements related to injury of parathyroid glands. Hence intracapsular dissection may be carried out to avoid these potential complications which ensure a good surgical outcome in a select group of patients. The study aims to define the technique of thyroidectomy using intracapsular dissection and assess the complications related to this technique of thyroid surgery. This prospective observational study was carried out on 41 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy after evaluation from November 2013 to June 2016. Results Two patients developed transient hypocalcemia following the surgery out of 41 patients. No patients developed permanent RLN palsy or permanent hypocalcemia. Conclusion Thyroidectomy done using the intracapsular dissection technique is a safe and easy procedure for benign thyroid swellings. This technique aims to minimize tissue handling and dissection in the lateral thyroid groove and thereby reduce the postoperative complications related to the injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands, increasing the surgical outcomes and patient compliance. Hence, intracapsular dissection can be routinely practiced for the extirpation of benign thyroid swellings.

Keywords

• Total thyroidectomy
• Intracapsular dissection
• Complications
• Surgical outcomes