Extent of Thyroidectomy and Incidence of Morbidity: Risk-appropriate Treatment

In the past, less than total or 'subtotal' thyroidectomy was considered as one means of minimizing surgical morbidity. Today, this is no longer the case, whether for benign or malignant lesions, and, with some exceptions, total thyroidectomy is now the treatment of choice. The aim of this chapter is to identify and quantify the different risks of total thyroidectomy, discuss the current evidence-based indications for lobectomy versus total thyroidectomy and, finally, to discuss means of minimizing these risks and optimizing outcomes.