title: German Association of Endocrine Surgeons practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of benign thyroid disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign thyroid disorders are among the most common diseases in Germany, affecting around 15 million people and leading to more than 100,000 thyroid surgeries per year. Since the first German guidelines for the surgical treatment of benign goiter were published in 1998, abundant new information has become available, significantly shifting surgical strategy towards more radical interventions. Additionally, minimally invasive techniques have been developed and gained wide usage. These circumstances demanded a revision of the guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on a review of relevant recent guidelines from other groups and additional literature, unpublished data, and clinical experience, the German Association of Endocrine Surgeons formulated new recommendations on the surgical treatment of benign thyroid diseases. These guidelines were developed through a formal expert consensus process and in collaboration with the German societies of Nuclear Medicine, Endocrinology, Pathology, and Phoniatrics & Pedaudiology as well as two patient organizations. Consensus was achieved through several moderated conferences of surgical experts and representatives of the collaborating medical societies and patient organizations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The revised guidelines for the surgical treatment of benign thyroid diseases include recommendations regarding the preoperative assessment necessary to determine when surgery is indicated. Recommendations regarding the extent of resection, surgical techniques, and perioperative management are also given in order to optimize patient outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence-based recommendations for the surgical treatment of benign thyroid diseases have been created to aid the surgeon and to support optimal patient care, based on current knowledge. These recommendations comply with the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany requirements for S2k guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrine Surgery, Clinic of General and Abdominal Surgery, University Medical Center, Gutenberg University-Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55101, Mainz, Germany. musholt@uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Musholt
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clerici
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dralle
authors.forename: Andreja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frilling
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Goretzki
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kussmann
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nies
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schabram
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schabram
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scheuba
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Steinmüller
authors.forename: Arnold W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Trupka
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Wahl
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zielke
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bockisch
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Karges
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luster
authors.forename: Kurt W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Schmid
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000592:standards; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000592:standards; D004704:Endocrinology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards; D005629:Frozen Sections / Q000592:standards; D005858:Germany; D006042:Goiter / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006044:Goiter, Nodular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013043:Specialties, Surgical; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards