In this article, fundamental thyroid physiology and diagnostic procedu
res in the elderly patient are described. Emphasis is placed on perfor
ming nonthyroid surgery in elderly patients with hypo- or hyperthyroid
ism. The management of the thyroid nodule in the elderly patient is al
so described with a detailed algorithmic approach. Preoperative and in
traoperative cardiac risk assessment and monitoring in elderly patient
s undergoing nonthyroid as well as thyroid surgery are also described.