Application of infrared-beam laser therapy in the postoperative period in patients with nodular toxic goiter

Abstract

The question of postoperative management for patients with nodular toxic goiter (NTG) using an infrared-wave laser remains poorly investigated and highly debatable, which creates conditions for further investigation of this issue. Aim. To evaluate the results of infrared-beam laser therapy in patients with NTG in the early and long-term postoperative periods after organ-preserving surgical interventions and thyroidectomies. Materials and methods. The main group of 35 (50.7 %) patients was examined after additional postoperative infrared-beam laser therapy (1–3 courses) while the comparison group of 34 (49.3 %) patients did not receive this treatment. Results. Thyroidectomy prevailed in the structure of surgeries in the main group (20 (57.1 %) cases). Organ-sparing surgeries were performed in 15 (42.9 %) patients. In the comparison group, 18 (52.9 %) thyroidectomies and 16 (47.1 %) thyroid resections were performed. Conclusions. Almost half of NTG cases (14 (41.2 %) in the main group and 15 (42.9 %) in the comparison group were unifocal mono- or lobar nodular affection which provided an opportunity to perform organ-sparing surgeries. No postoperative hypoparathyroidism was observed in the patients who underwent surgical resection. All the cases of this disorder were observed in patients after total thyroidectomy – 7 (35.0 %) in the main group and 8 (44.4 %) in the comparison group, P = 0.2956. The application of infrared-beam therapy to the postoperative area stimulated blood flow in the tissues and led to renewal of the parotid function: the parathormone level in the main group was restored in the average period of 3.5 (1.5; 6.0) months and in the comparison group – in 6.5 (3.5; 9.0) months, P = 0.0412. The postoperative use of infrared-beam laser therapy in patients with organ-sparing surgical interventions allowed reducing the dose of replacement therapy from 25.0 (25.0; 50.0) µg in the comparison group to 12.5 (12.5; 25.0) µg in the main group, P = 0.0341.