Thyroidectomy initiated by transecting the isthmus and peeling the lobes laterally away from the midline exposes the three vital elements of thyroid anatomy, namely the vessels, the recurrent laryngeal nerves and the parathyroid glands, by an almost bloodless dissection conducted at a distance from these vital structures. Part or all of the lobe or lobes can be removed while the parathyroid glands and recurrent laryngeal nerves remain clearly under view at all times.