Outcomes of hemithyroidectomy under local with general anesthesia: A tertiary center experience

Context: The prevalence of thyroid neoplasm is high in the developing countries and therefore an increasing rate of thyroid surgery. Aims: We aimed to compare the outcomes of patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy under local anesthesia (LA) with general anesthesia (GA). Settings and Design: This was a prospective, comparative study. Methods: The study was conducted for a period of 22 months in 30 patients, undergoing hemithyroidectomy under LA and GA. Patients in both the groups were assessed for duration, postoperative pain, satisfaction, postoperative complications, and cost. Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis of the data was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16 software (IBM, New York, US). Unpaired t-test was used to test the difference of mean and Fisher's exact test was used to test the association between the two groups. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The mean operative time was less in Group A (LA) than Group B (GA) (79.2 min vs. 83.6 min) (P = 0.88). The mean postoperative pain score (using the Numerical Rating Scale) was high in Group A (3.4) than Group B (2.8) (P = 0.42). There was no statistical significant difference regarding satisfaction with anesthesia. One patient in each group developed recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paresis, whereas two patients in Group B developed RLN paralysis. The mean cost was less in Group A (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Hemithyroidectomy under LA can be performed safely in a selected group of patients, expecting similar operative, clinical results and patient satisfaction.