Thyroid disease and thyroid surgery

Thyroid disease remains very common. Knowledge of the implications of these diseases is essential for all anaesthetists as these patients are frequently encountered and may be at risk of complications at any stage, preoperatively, intraoperatively or postoperatively. This article focuses on disorders of thyroid function and their management, thyroid malignancy, surgery of the thyroid gland and the perioperative anaesthetic management of patients undergoing thyroidectomy.