The Outcomes of First Reoperation for Locoregionally Recurrent/Persistent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Patients Who Initially Underwent Total Thyroidectomy and Remnant Ablation

Context: The primary treatment of locoregionally recurrent/persistent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is surgical removal by reoperation. However, there had been only limited number of reports on the outcome of reoperation. Objective: This study was to evaluate the efficacy of the first reoperation for locoregionally recurrent/persistent papillary thyroid carcinoma and the usefulness of stimulated thyroglobulin for evaluating efficacy of reoperation. Design and Settings: This was a retrospective observational cohort study in a tertiary referral hospital. Patients: A total of 83 patients, who underwent initial total thyroidectomy and nodal dissection with radioactive iodine remnant ablation, received reoperation for locoregionally recurrent/persistent PTC and were included in this study. Stimulated thyroglobulin levels were assessed before and after reoperation. Main Outcome Measures: We assessed biochemical remission (stimulated thyroglobulin