During a 9-year period(March 1985 to February 1994), 111 consecutive total thyroidectomies and modified or radical neck dissections were performed at 81. Vincent Hospital, Catholic University Medical College, for benign and malignant disease. There were three permanent complications, persistent hypoparathyroidism, in total thyroidectomies. Overall complications were observed 20(62.5%) in benign diseases, 47(59.5%) in malignancy. In benign and malignant thyroid diseases. the complications were transient hypoparathyroidisms (28.8%), transient hoarsenesses(21.6%), wound infections (3.6%), bleedings(3.6%), and permanent hypoparathyroidisms(2.7%). Our experience suggests that the morbidity of total thyroidectomy relates primarily to the extracapsular extension, necessitating en bloc exision accompanied by additional lymph node dissection. The low incidence of permanent complications in thyroid disease suggests the feasibility of total thyroidectomy as the operation of choice when surgeons are familiar with the technique and indications.