Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficiency and safety of total thyroidetomy (including near-total tyhroidectomy) versus subtotal thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter.
Methods: The literatures were searched from Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Chinese Biological Medical Datebase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full-text Database as of November 2013. We included all randomizad controlled trials on total (including near-total) versus subtotal thyroidectomy in the treatment of multinodular goiter. The collecting of data and quality assessment were respectively completed by 2 researchers. RevMan5.1 software was used for Meta-analysis.
Results: We collected 7 literatures conforming to the standard, incuding 2 192 patients. The Metaanalysis outcomes showed that total thyroidectomy was associated with lower nodule recurrence rate (OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.07-0.22, P<0.001) and higher in transient hypoparathyroidism rate (OR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.72-3.17, P<0.001). However, no statistical difference was seen comparing total and subtotal thyroidectomy in permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis rate (OR= 0.81, 95% CI: 0.24-2.74, P=0.74) and permanent hypoparathyroidism rate (OR=2.94, 95% CI: 0.48- 18.11, P=0.24).
Conclusion: Nodule recurrence rate of total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter is lower than subtotal thyroidectomy and does not increase permanent complications.