[Surgical resection of the thyroid and parathyroid glands]

The main indication for surgery of the thyroid gland is the resection of nodular, suspicious or hyperfunctioning tissue. Following thyroidectomy, L-thyroxine therapy is initiated adjusted to the remnant thyroid function. To prevent recurrence of a multinodular goiter, supplementation with iodine is strongly recommended. The management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer depends on risk stratification. Although large prospective studies are missing, low-risk patients probably do not benefit from total thyroid ablation and lifelong thyroxine suppression therapy. As a result of impaired parathyroid function or resection of the parathyroid glands for hyperparathyroidism, acute or chronic hypocalcaemia can develop. If treatment with oral calcium is insufficient, the addition of a vitamin D analogue is necessary. This requires close monitoring to avoid renal or other hypercalcaemic complications.