Abstract: The set of guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer (the second edition) was published in 2023 in China. Based on the first (2012) edition, the current set was revised jointly by nearly 100 experts in endocrinology, thyroid surgery, oncology, nuclear medicine, ultrasound medicine, and pathology from seven national societies for one year. The new version of the guideline is still divided into two parts, namely, thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer. The writing mode of asking clinical questions, explaining and giving recommendations is adopted, and a total of 117 recommendations are provided. This article aims to compare the variations in the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules and surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer between the new and old versions from the perspective of surgery. The author's own understanding and experiences are also discussed.