Thyroidectomy must be performed with a low morbidity and a mortality approaching zero. To do this, you must plan the operation to ensure the best cosmetic effect relative to the incision, to leave the proper amount of thyroid tissue as remnants, to minimize hemorrhage, to prevent injury to both the recurrent nerves and the superior laryngeal nerves and to preserve the parathyroids. It is necessary to have an excellent light source and good anesthesia. The surgeon must position the patient on the table so that the neck is in hyperextension and also to have an adequate exposure of the entire anterior aspect of the thyroid to identify the nerves - both the recurrent and the superior laryngeal nerves-and to preserve the parathyroids.