Abstract
Postoperative recurrent hyperthyroidism was studied in 25 out of 171 patients who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease. Mean weight of the remnant thyroid tissue was 6.5±0.9 grams and mean follow-up time was 31.8±16.2 postoperative months. Fifteen (60%) of the patients needed antithyroid drugs after recurrence, but the doses of the drugs were small in most patients. Of the 15 patients, 5 (33%) entered remission due to antithyroid drugs. The appropriate weight of remnant thyroid is thought to be 6 grams, but it should be less than 6 grams in children and the patients who are resistant to antithyroid drugs before surgery. As the status of thyroid function may change over long periods, long-term follow-up is needed.
