INCLUSION CRITERIA | EXCLUSION CRITERIA |
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At study enrollment: • Age equal or greater than 18 years • Expected survival time more than 12 months • Patients with benign diseases of the thyroid gland scheduled for elective surgery • Euthyroid metabolism (normal level of TSH or T3/T4) • Normal function of the vocal cords • Informed consent | • Malignant disease or highly suspicion for malignancy (clinical and imaging evidence) • Nerve palsy • Graves' Disease • Coagulopathy • Current immunosuppressive therapy • Chemotherapy within 2 weeks before operation • Radiotherapy completed no longer than 8 weeks before operation • Severe psychiatric or neurologic disease • Drug- and/or alcohol-abuse • Participation in another intervention-trial with interference of intervention and outcome • Inability to follow the instructions given by the investigator or the telephone interviewer • Lack of compliance |
At the end of surgical exploration: • Suitable for at least 2/3 resection of the thyroid |  |