A Comparative Study of Complication Rates and Quality of Life Following Total versus Partial Thyroidectomy in Sulaymaniyah City
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32792/jmed.2025.29.19Keywords:
Total thyroidectomy, Partial thyroidectomy, Complication rate, Quality of life, Postoperative outcomesAbstract
Background: A variety of thyroid disorders including benign and malignant thatare indicated for either total or partial thyroidectomy. Although both surgeries
aimed to eliminate the symptoms and prevent the progression of the disease, their
impact on quality of life and complication rate may vary. The current study aimed
to compare complication rate and quality of life outcomes (QoL) between total
and partial thyroidectomy patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was
conducted between November 2024 and April 2025 involving 160 patients (80
total thyroidectomies, 80 partial thyroidectomy) who had undergone thyroid
surgery at Shar Hospital and Smart Health Tower. Data were collected through a
semi-structured questionnaire that covered physical, emotional, and social QoL
domains. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS through chi-square,
Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The majority of participants
were female (76.9%) and aged between 36–55 years. The total thyroidectomy
group showed a significantly higher rate of postoperative complications (p =
0.013), with seroma and hypocalcemia being the most frequent. Total
thyroidectomy was also associated with significantly higher impairment in
physical (p < 0.001), emotional (p = 0.003), and social (p = 0.007) quality of life
domains. Conclusion: Patients having a total thyroidectomy reported decreased
quality of life and more postoperative complications than those having a partial
thyroidectomy. These results emphasize the importance of surgical decision
making and the need for accurate preoperative counseling, especially with relation
to expected outcomes and QoL effects.
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