[Surgical treatment of Basedow's disease. II--Evaluation of 36 subtotal thyroidectomies]

Results of subtotal thyroidectomy in 36 patients with Graves' disease emphasize the need for strict medical preparation, with the administration of corticoids more particularly, and the technical imperatives required during operation. Analysis of endocrine factors showed that euthyroidism was obtained in 76% of cases with a fairly stable state after 6 months. Hyperthyroidism was rare and developed before the end of the first year. Hypothyroidism, mainly biologic, was frequent during the immediate postoperative period but compensatory hypertrophy of remaining tissue was the usual outcome. It was persistent in 14% of cases, however, but easily compensated by substitutive therapy and a less severe complication than prolonged hyperthyroidism. Biologic hypocalcemia was also frequent but normal levels were reinstituted rapidly. Surgical treatment of Graves' disease is usually effective and rapidly performed, and is particularly indicated when socio-ethnic conditions make medical treatment difficult or impossible.