Zusammenfassung
The main indication for surgery of the thyroid gland is the resection of nodular, suspicious or hyperfunctioning tissue. Following thyroidectomy, L-thyroxine therapy is initiated adjusted to the remnant thyroid function. To prevent recurrence of a multinodular goiter, supplementation with iodine is strongly recommended. The management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer depends on risk ...
Zusammenfassung
The main indication for surgery of the thyroid gland is the resection of nodular, suspicious or hyperfunctioning tissue. Following thyroidectomy, L-thyroxine therapy is initiated adjusted to the remnant thyroid function. To prevent recurrence of a multinodular goiter, supplementation with iodine is strongly recommended. The management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer depends on risk stratification. Although large prospective studies are missing, low-risk patients probably do not benefit from total thyroid ablation and lifelong thyroxine suppression therapy. As a result of impaired parathyroid function or resection of the parathyroid glands for hyperparathyroidism, acute or chronic hypocalcaemia can develop. If treatment with oral calcium is insufficient, the addition of a vitamin D analogue is necessary. This requires close monitoring to avoid renal or other hypercalcaemic complications.