Objective To compare the clinical effect between small incision surgery and traditional resection for thyroid adenoma. Methods 60 patients with thyroid adenoma were divided into two groups according to different surgical methods. 30 patients in the observation group underwent small incision resection, and 30 patients in the control group underwent conventional thyroid tumor resection. The postoperative surgical results, the intraoperative blood loss, operation time, hospital stay and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results The intraoperative blood loss of the observation group was (19.15±8.30) mL, which was significantly than that of the control group. The operation time of the observation group was (78.73±12.61) min, which was significantly than that of the control group.The hospitalization time of the observation group was (3.74±1.05) d, which was significantly shorter than that in the con trol group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). After operation, the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). The postoperative complication rate of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups (3.3％ vs 16.7％, P<0.05). Conclusion Small incision surgery is more effective than traditional resection for thyroid adenoma. It has the advantages of small incision, less bleeding, less complications, and quick recovery after surgery.It is worthy of widespread application and application.