Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Total Thyroidectomy (TT) in true sense is not total as evidenced by remnant uptake in radio-iodine scans and serum thyroglobulin. The aim of this study is to assess the completeness of TT, operating time and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury with and without neuro-monitoring (IONM). METHODS: Cross sectional analytical study using retrospective data of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign and malignant goiters. Surgeries performed by single surgeon. Patients undergoing TT (2015-22) were grouped into Group A (n = 400) and Group B (n = 400) based on use of IONM. Subgroup of patients (Group A1&B1) who had differentiated thyroid cancer were compared for completeness of thyroidectomy with DxWBS and serum thyroglobulin (TG). Group A and B were compared for operating time and incidence of RLN palsy. RESULTS: Of the 800 RLN at risk transient RLN palsy was lower with IONM (p = 0.048). Mean operating time was significantly higher in Group-B(p = 0.0038). Subgroup A1 showed lower radio-active iodine uptake percentage, higher number of patients with negative scan, TG of < 1ng/mL indicating better completeness of TT. CONCLUSION: Our study shows better completeness of thyroidectomy, lower incidence of transient RLN palsy and shorter operating time with IONM.