[Endocrine surgery and evidence-based medicine].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this literature review is to classify current knowledge on nine questions of current interest for endocrine surgery and their classification with regard to levels of evidenced-based medicine (EBM).


METHODS
The literature in Medline and EMBase was reviewed. Only retrospective or prospective comparative studies with statistical analysis were selected.


RESULTS
(See Table 8.).


CONCLUSIONS
With respect to the current literature, only routine identification of the RLN and the minimally-invasive approach for adrenalectomy can be regarded as EBM. To answer the remaining questions prospective studies are needed.
Thomusch
O
O
Klinik für Allgemeinchirurgie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale.
Dralle
H
H
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000601:surgery; D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D013507:Endocrine Surgical Procedures; D004724:Endoscopy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D016239:MEDLINE; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000601:surgery; D016105:Parathyroidectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013997:Time Factors