Thyroidectomy remains an effective treatment option for Graves’ disease

Background Recent experience with thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease is limited. We report our current experience with thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease at a tertiary hospital. Methods A prospective database showed 48 patients who underwent surgery for Graves’ disease from April 1993 to June 2005. Results All patients had typical symptoms of Graves’ disease. Twenty-three patients had ophthalmopathy. Indications for surgery were failed medical therapy (n = 24), presence of a dominant nodule (n = 12), or refusal of radioiodine (n = 12). Surgery included total thyroidectomy (n = 46) or subtotal thyroidectomy (n = 2). The incidence of cancer was 17%. Long-term follow-up data were available for 44 patients. No patients had recurrence of hyperthyroidism or cancer. Follow-up evaluation of 20 patients with ophthalmopathy showed the condition had either stabilized or resolved. Conclusions Total thyroidectomy for Graves’ disease offers rapid and durable control of hyperthyroidism, provides appropriate treatment for patients with coexisting cancer, and can stabilize or reverse ophthalmopathy.