2016 Volume 26 Issue 1 Pages 147-151
We performed total thyroidectomy during pregnancy for two cases of pregnant patients with Basedow’s disease. Case 1 was a 30-year-old female. She had a history of side effects of propylthiouracil. She was referred to our hospital at 24 week’s gestation. As the combined therapy of thiamazole and inactive iodine could not control hyperthyroidism, we performed total thyroidectomy at 32 week’s gestation. Case 2 was a 32-year-old female who was diagnosed with Basedow’s disease at 27 week’s gestation. She started to take thiamazole but the treatment was discontinued because of the onset of agranulocytosis, and we performed total thyroidectomy at 35 week’s gestation. Both cases led to safe delivery after the operations. Indications for surgical therapy for pregnant patients with Basedow’s disease are cases with onset of severe adverse reactions with anti-thyroid drugs, and cases in whom it is difficult to control hyperthyroidism with anti-thyroid drugs. There are some risks such as urgent Cesarean section which cannot be treated just by otolaryngologists, so it is very important to closely cooperate with not only endocrine physicians but also obstetricians, anesthesiologists and pediatricians during the perioperative period.
