[Surgical management of thyroid diseases].

Operations of the thyroid gland belong to the most frequent surgical procedures in Germany. Ultrasound is used for examination of the morphology and scintigraphy for examination of the function of the thyroid gland. Cytology can be used to examine scintigraphically cold nodules. Nodules represent the most frequent indication for thyroid surgery. In differentiated thyroid carcinoma postoperative radioactive iodine therapy plays an important role. Operations of the thyroid gland should be performed with optical magnification to identify the recurrent laryngeal nerve with the help of neuromonitoring. A missing electric signal after stimulation of the nerve with intact morphology is indicative of temporary paresis of the vocal cord and operation of the contralateral side should be postponed. Thus, a bilateral paresis can be safely avoided.