Abstract: Objective To investigate the risk factors for recurrence within one year after thyroid lobectomy in patients with benign thyroid nodules. Methods A total of 228 patients with unilateral benign thyroid nodules were selected as study subjects and all received unilateral thyroid lobectomy treatment （i.e. total resection of the unilateral lobe）. They were divided into a recurrence group （n=32） and a non-recurrence group （n=196） based on whether recurrence occurred within one year after surgery. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of recurrence within one year after surgery in these patients. Results The recurrence rate within one year after surgery for patients with benign thyroid nodules was 14.04% （32/228）. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors influencing recurrence within one year after surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules included nodules ≥ 3 cm, multiple nodules, mixed type nodules, and elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone （TSH） levels （P<0.05）. Conclusion Recurrence after unilateral total thyroid lobectomy is closely related to multiple factors, mainly including nodules ≥ 3 cm, multiple nodules, mixed type nodules, and elevated TSH levels. For patients with high-risk factors, close follow-up and monitoring are required to reduce the recurrence rate after surgery.

Key words: Benign thyroid nodules, Thyroid lobectomy, Recurrence, Risk factors