[Indications for and basic principles of the surgical treatment of thyroid diseases]

Surgical treatment is indicated for patients with nodular goiter if malignancy seems possible, if there are mechanical reasons, or on request from the patient. In patients with goiter and hyperthyroidism, surgery and radioiodine are alternatives. In contrast, thyroid autonomy always requires surgery. The treatment of patients suffering from differentiated thyroid cancer includes thyroidectomy and radioiodine, and in those with anaplastic thyroid cancer external radiation and surgery should be performed. Apart from the classic indications and surgical procedures, in recent years selective resection of multinodular goiter, more conservative surgery of small papillary thyroid cancer and surgical treatment of iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis have become established.