Complications of surgery of the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

Surgery of the thyroid and parathyroid glands can be performed safely in the majority of patients. The greatest risk for postoperative morbidity arises from injury to the laryngeal nerves or the parathyroid glands. A sound knowledge of regional anatomy combined with an unhurried, meticulous operative technique are essential if injury to these structures is to be avoided.