Thyroidectomy

Thyroidectomy requires meticulous dissection and the technique has changed over time. We discuss the gold standard and evolving new methods of performing a thyroidectomy and the common complications and difficulties associated with these. Retrosternal goitres present slightly different challenges. The preoperative assessment and characterization of these retrosternal goitres and the associated increased complication rates are discussed. New techniques to minimize these complications such as nerve monitoring are now more routinely being utilized and are described in this article.