A group of patients with solitary nodules of the thyroid were treated at the University of Malaya by surgery under local anaesthesia. This was done in order to expedite exploration of a potentially malignant condition. This group comprised 43 patients, and four cancers were found. The standard technique used was satisfactory from the viewpoint of both the patient and the surgeon. The pattern of this condition in a Malaysian population is documented, the technique used is described, and thyroidectomy under local aneaesthesia is discussed.