Table 1. Comparative Assessment of Thyroidectomy Guidelines of ATA, ETA, AAES, and AACE.

AACE: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; AAES: American Association of Endocrine Surgeons; ATA: American Thyroid Association; ATD: antithyroid drug; BB: beta-blockade; ETA: European Thyroid Association; GCs: glucocorticoids; MMI: methimazole; NS: not specified; SSKI: saturated solution of potassium iodide

Guideline Aspect	ATA	ETA	AAES	AACE
	References: [4, 7, 17, 27]	References: [28-30]	References: [31,32]	References: [3,33]
Voice Assessment	NS	NS	Recommended for diagnosis of thyroid disease	NS
Vocal Cord Evaluation	Recommended for anaplastic thyroid cancer patients	Preoperative assessment recommended	NS	Preoperative assessment recommended
Preoperative Medication	ATD (MMI) ± β-blockade	ATD (MMI), β-blockers, GCs	ATD (MMI)	MMI
Alternate Medications	SSKI, β-blockade, GCs, or cholestyramine in urgent cases or allergic reactions to ATD	SSKI (if needed), for urgent thyroidectomy before adequate control of hyperthyroidism is achieved	NS	In cases of allergy or urgency, give BB + SSKI
Medication Duration	Give SSKI for 10 days prior to surgery	Give SSKI for 10 days prior to surgery	Give SSKI for 7-10 days prior to surgery	Give SSKI or inorganic iodine for 10 days prior to surgery
Preoperative Assessment and Correction of Vitamin D Deficiency	Yes	Yes	Yes	NS
Preoperative Dexamethasone	NS	NS	Consider a single preoperative dose of dexamethasone to reduce nausea, vomiting, and pain	NS