Surgery of toxic goitre in non-euthyroid patients: a preliminary report

Abstract

In recent years, the cost of medical care has skyrocketed and since medical treatment is not free, some drugs are now beyond the reach of some patients. One of such drugs is the antithyroid drug, carbimazole, which has been priced beyond the reach of our thyrotoxic patients. We have therefore been forced to operate on these patients whenever they present, even while thyrotoxic. The principle of our management is to anticipate the development of thyroid crises and to prevent its occurrence post-operatively by using saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) or Lugol's iodine, propranolol, diazepam, and hydrocortisone. This is a preliminary report of the first twelve consecutive patients so treated.