Data of all (n = 131) patients carrying thyroid carcinoma and operated on between January 1st, 1979, and September 30th, 1994 in our center mere analyzed retrospectively. Patient's files were reviewed concerning histological diagnosis, TNM-classification, operation procedure and complications. Follow-up data were obtained in all cases from local cancer registry as well as from personal records. Statistical analysis was performed using PCS-software (TopSoft, Hannover).