[The results of a 15-year observation of patients with an autotransplant of thyroid gland fragments performed to prevent postoperative hypothyroidism].

The following indications for autotransplantation of the thyroid gland were taken into consideration: thyrotoxicosis in children and juveniles; thyrotoxicosis in combination with injured central nervous system; flaccid forms; severe forms of thyrotoxicosis. Clinical results of the operation were studies within the terms from 2 months up to 15 years in 246 patients. Symptoms of thyrotoxicosis disappeared in all the patients. Light signs of hypothyreosis were noted in 3.2% of the patients during the first 6 months after operation. In the group of comparison (without autotransplantation of the thyroid gland) post-operative hypothyroidism developed in 6.6% of the patients for the same period of time. Autotransplantation of part of the resected thyrotoxic thyroid gland is an effective method of prevention of postoperative hypothyroidism.