The outcomes of levothyroxine therapy and thyroid hormone after thyroidectomy: A retrospective study.

Patients undergoing thyroidectomy with IONM had a slightly shorter average hospital stay compared to those without IONM.

• IONM group average hospital stay: 1.67 days
• Non-IONM group average hospital stay: 1.77 days
• No statistically significant difference was reported between the two groups for hospital stay duration
• Study included 45 patients total: IONM group (n=23) and non-IONM group (n=22)

There was no statistically significant difference between the IONM and non-IONM groups regarding total time in the operating room.

• Both groups were compared for operative duration as a secondary measure
• Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics version 26.0
• The study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Turkey from 2018 to 2023

Patients in the IONM group demonstrated a more stable pattern of postoperative thyroid hormone levels and a lower rate of endocrine-related complications compared to the non-IONM group.

• Primary outcome was levothyroxine dose stability, defined as achievement of euthyroid status (TSH 0.4–4.0 mIU/L with normal FT4 levels) without further dose adjustment over two consecutive follow-up visits
• Secondary outcomes included time to euthyroid status, number of dose adjustments, postoperative hypocalcemia, RLN injury, and hospital stay duration
• Postoperative thyroid function tests were assessed at 2, 6, and 12 weeks
• IONM group showed lower rate of endocrine-related complications compared to non-IONM group

IONM during thyroidectomy was associated with more predictable levothyroxine pharmacotherapy postoperatively.

• The study suggests IONM was associated with more stable postoperative hormonal levels and more predictable pharmacotherapy with respect to levothyroxine use
• Surgical techniques that preserve neural integrity were noted to influence thyroid hormone dosage stability and overall success of hormone replacement therapy
• The retrospective design limits findings to association rather than causation
• Further prospective studies were recommended by the authors