Evolution of thyroid surgery: unravelling complications from the 1930s to the modern era - a retrospective cohort study.

Among 3280 thyroidectomies analysed (1826 for 1930-1939 and 1454 for 1970-1979), the 1930s cohort was younger (mean age: 37.3 years, standard deviation (SD): 11.1 years vs 49.9 years, SD: 13.2 years; p <0.01) and more predominantly female (85.5% vs 83.1%; p <0.01).

Modern-era data indicate a lower thyroidectomy mortality rate than in the 1970s.