Treatment 11/12-p. 97-~In the hospital summary of surgery on case no. 21, it is indicated that the parathyroid, along with the thyroid gland, was unintentionally removed, and that the patient is on medication to correct this. Question: Was the patient informed of this accidental removal? Was this incident a factor in having future patients transported to the mainland in order that experts in thyroid surgery such as Dr. Colcock might operate? , A: During thyroidectomy inadvertent removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands is not an infrequent occurrence even with the best thyroid surgeons. The patient referred to was informed about the removal of the thyroid and parathyroid glands and impressed with the need for strict treatment regimen. The subsequent transfer of Marshallese thyroid patients to the U.S. centers was done to insure more specialized examinations and treatment. yw.