German Association of Endocrine Surgeons practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of benign thyroid disease.

INTRODUCTION: 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METHODS: Based on a review of relevant recent guidelines from other groups and additional literature, unpublished data, and clinical experience, the German Association of Endocrine Surgeons formulated new recommendations on the surgical treatment of benign thyroid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.