To determine the overall risk of hypothyroidism in hemithyroidectomy patients and identify its risk factors.

This retrospective study (April 2020–March 2024) in our ENT department, M. Bourguiba Hospital evaluated patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy to assess hypothyroidism risk and analyze its possible predictive factors: age, sex, (TSH) levels, ultrasound results, histologic diagnosis. 69 hemiyhyroidectomy patients were studied. Mean follow-up was 15 months. Postoperative hypothyroidism occurred in 24.6% (n=17), all subclinical. Age and sex (male-to-female ratios:0.08 vs. 0.21, P=0.23) did not significantly differ between euthyroid and hypothyroid groups. Preoperative TSH >1.32mIU/L (76% sensitivity, 68% specificity; P<0.001) and lymphocytic thyroiditis (OR 3.91, P<0.05) were significant predictors. The hypothyroid group had higher mean preoperative TSH (2.4±1.3 vs. 1.2±0.8mIU/L, P<0.001). Ultrasound findings operated side and remaining lobe volume (6.99±4.8 vs. 4.6±2.1mL, P=0.056) showed no significant association. Hypothyroidism developed within 6 months in 82.4% of cases (mean onset: 3±2.6 months).

These findings align with literature (15–30% hypothyroidism rates) [1Verloop H, Louwerens M, Schoones JW, Kievit J, Smit JWA, Dekkers OM. Risk of hypothyroidism following hemithyroidectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis of prognostic studies. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références]. Key predictors were preoperative TSH>1.32mIU/L (P<0.001) and lymphocytic thyroiditis (OR3.91, P<0.05), consistent with prior studies [2Park S., Jeon M.J., Song E., Oh H.S., Kim M., Kwon H., et al. Clinical features of early and late postoperative hypothyroidism after lobectomy J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017 ; 102 [cross-ref]

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références].