[Operative strategy in thyroid autonomy and Basedow hyperthyroidism]

The different extra- and intrathyroid origin of hyperthyroidism, the advantages of the surgical procedure and the criteria for the extent of thyroid resection determine the operative tactics. For both forms of hyperthyroidism we recommend a rather extended resection of the diseased thyroid gland in order to prevent recurrent hyperthyroidism and recurrent thyroid growth as well. These recurrences require subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease, monolateral partial lobectomy for a so-called toxic adenoma and bilateral partial lobectomy for toxic multi-nodular goiters. With these procedures lesions of the recurrent nerves and parathyroid glands can be prevented.