Background: Nodular goiter, the most prevalent thyroid disorder, is increasing in frequency due to the availability of
sensitive diagnostic tests in recent decades.
Aim: To assess long-term sequelae of the less than total thyroidectomy procedures as a technique of surgical management of nodular thyroid disease versus total thyroidectomy.
Patients and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted on a total of 150 patients who presented
with benign nodular thyroid disease and divided into two groups; group A: 75 patients underwent less than thyroidectomy and group B: 75 patients underwent total thyroidectomy at tertiary care hospital at General surgery units in El-Demerdash and Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital (ASUSH) and performed.
Results: Our study results reported that recurrence was significantly more frequent in the total group than in the total
group (20.0% vs. 0.0%, respectively, P<0.001). Hence, the time to recurrence was less than the total group than in the
total group 6.5±0.9, while management of recurrence (Medical/surgical: 13.3%/ 86.7%, respectively).
Conclusion: Total thyroidectomy is a safe and effective procedure for benign thyroid diseases, while less than total
thyroidectomy is associated with high recurrence rates and associated risks. Total thyroidectomy offers advantages such
as disease eradication, goiter prevention, and occult malignancy avoidance, but is associated with higher morbidity and
lifelong hypothyroidism replacement therapy. Less than total thyroidectomy has a place in modern practice especially
with unilateral single or more thyroid lesions.