Background: There is a controversy regarding management of low-risk well differentiated thyroid carcinoma 
(WDTC) between total/near-total thyroidectomy (TT) and hemi-thyroidectomy (HT) due to the excellent 
prognosis and the indolent course of the disease. This study aimed to review the outcome of TT in 
comparison with HT in management of low-risk WDTC.
Patients and Methods: A retrospective evaluation identified 156 patients with low-risk WDTC between 2000 
and 2011 comparing mainly the outcomes after either TT or HT.
Results: Mean age was 42.8± 4.12 years, of these 18% were males and 82% were females. Permanent recurrent 
laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) and permanent hypocalcemia were significantly higher in TT group (P=0.035) 
and (p=0.049) respectively. Mean follow-up was 8.5 years. Recurrence rate was significantly higher in HT 
group (P=0.002). Completion thyroidectomy related morbidity was more in HT group than the primary 
surgery (P=<0.001). At the time of the last follow-up, 94.2% of TT group, and 88.9% of HT group were alive.
Conclusion: TT, with postoperative 131I and thyroid hormone supplementation was associated with more 
favorable outcome than HT alone.