The exclusion criteria included: MNG involving the posterior aspect/s of thyroid lobe/s, suspicion of thyroid cancer, previous thyroid surgery, thyroiditis, subclinical or clinically overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, pregnancy or lactation, age < 18 years or > 65 years, ASA 4 grade (American Society of Anesthesiology), and inability to comply with the follow-up protocol.