The prevalence of thyroid nodules

especially differentiated thyroid cancer

has increased during the past decades. With the consideration of increasing prevalence of the disease

American Thyroid Association (ATA) updated the guidelines for adult patients with thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer in 2015. The aim of the new guidelines was to minimize potential harm from overtreatment in majority of patients at low risk for diseasespecific mortality and morbidity while appropriately treat and monitor those patients at higher risk. The updates of surgery-related contents in new ATA guidelines are interpreted in this article.