Complications of total thyroidectomy performed by surgical residents versus specialist surgeons

Abstract
Purpose  Surgeon inexperience has been defined as a significant predictor of deleterious outcome in thyroid surgery; however, the safety
of training programs in which residents are the primary surgeons is controversial. The objective of this prospective study
was to compare the complication rates of total thyroidectomy (TT) performed by residents with those of TT performed by specialist
surgeons in similar patient groups.

Methods  Between April 2001 and May 2007, 144 patients underwent TT at our hospital. For 75 operations, the primary surgeon was a resident
under the direct supervision of the attending surgeon, and for 69 operations, the primary surgeon was the experienced attending
surgeon. Pre-and postoperative vocal cord examinations and serum calcium level evaluations were carried out in all patients.

Results  The rates of temporary (unilateral) recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy were 2.66% vs 2.17% after TT performed by the residents
vs the attending surgeon, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidences of temporary hypoparathyroidism
(20% vs 20.28%), permanent (unilateral) RLN palsy, hematoma, infection, seroma, and incidental parathyroidectomy between the
two groups.

Conclusion  The complication rates of TT performed by residents and attending surgeons were similar. Thus, residents can perform TT safely
and effectively under the direct supervision of a senior surgeon. Ultimately, strict adherence to the contemporary principles
of thyroid surgery is of paramount importance.

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00595-008-3760-4Authors
Ali U. Emre, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeyGüldeniz Karadeniz Çakmak, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeyOge Tascilar, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeyBülent H. Ucan, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeyOktay Irkorucu, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeyKemal Karakaya, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeyHakan Balbaloglu, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeySami Dibeklioglu, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeyMesut Gul, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeyHandan Ankarali, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Biostatistics Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak TurkeyMustafa Comert, Zonguldak Karaelmas University School of Medicine Department of Surgery Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Bashekimligi 67600 Kozlu, Zonguldak Turkey

Journal Surgery TodayOnline ISSN 1436-2813Print ISSN 0941-1291

Journal Volume Volume 38

Journal Issue Volume 38, Number 10 / October, 2008 (Source: Surgery Today)  MedWorm Sponsored Message: Find out how you can get your message across here by sponsoring this MedWorm news feed.