Abstract: Objective: To investigate the necessary and methods of reoperation for thyroid carcinoma and analyze the causes of reoperation.Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of reoperation in 77 patients with thyroid carcinoma from January 1996 to May 2005.Results: The operative resection rate was 100% without operative death.The residual carcinoma was found at the primary site in 17 patients and the lymph nodes metastasis was found in 34 patients.Conclusions: The appropriate operation method is the key to avoid the reoperation.The high residual cancer rate after local mass resection of thyroid carcinoma necessitates the reoperation.