Thyroid surgery: what has changed from (1970 to 2004): a Turkish perspective

BackgroundTurkey is an endemic region for goiter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changing factors concerning thyroid disease and thyroid surgery in a referral center in Turkey.MethodsThis study was a retrospective evaluation of reports of patients who underwent surgery for thyroid disease at Hacettepe University Medical School between the years 1970 and 1974, 1980 and 1984, 1990 and 1994, and 2000 and 2004.ResultsA total of 1,270 patients were included in the study. There were 140, 141, 402, and 587 patients in the 1970–1974, 1980–1984, 1990–1994, and 2000–2004 groups, respectively. In the past decade, the use of ultrasonography has increased significantly; more thyroid cancer cases have been diagnosed and more extensive surgical procedures have been applied.ConclusionsDuring the past 40 years, significant changes have occurred in the treatment of thyroid disease, particularly diagnostic tools, pathologies, and surgical procedures.