Surgical management of the patient with a thyroid disorder

In this article, fundamental thyroid physiology and diagnostic procedures in the elderly patient are described. Emphasis is placed on performing nonthyroid surgery in elderly patients with hypo- or hyperthyroidism. The management of the thyroid nodule in the elderly patient is also described with a detailed algorithmic approach. Preoperative and intraoperative cardiac risk assessment and monitoring in elderly patients undergoing nonthyroid as well as thyroid surgery are also described.