摘要：When analyzing the literature published on thyroidectomy using a “timeline” we can observe that we have notoriously progressed from a procedure that was almost prohibited in the mid-nineteenth century due to complications to a point where it is considered safe, resolutive, and highly efficient. This progress is especially due to the advances in surgical techniques. Theodore Kocher (Nobel Prize in 1909 for his contribution to thyroidectomies) flawlessly described the anatomical basis for the success of this surgical technique 130 years ago. Besides this, advances in anesthetic procedures, surgical materials, and medications were fundamental to intraoperative and postoperative advances and patient management. With time, the knowledge on the different thyroid diseases has exponentially increased and serves as indicators for the extension of treatment and surgical procedures, all efforts should be directed to apply them into clinical practice (1).
