Thyroid surgery is performed in a number of circumstances, including when cancers are found, when enlargement causes cosmetic or respiratory problems, when other forms of treatment are ineffective, and when a pregnant woman's hyperthyroidism cannot be controlled by other means.
In most cases, surgery of the thyroid is not highly complicated, and usually takes no more than two hours. It is frequently performed on an outpatient or overnight basis, with general anesthesia.
There are few complications that result, but when they do, they typically fall into one of two categories: damage to the voice box and / or vocal cords, or damage to the parathyroid glands. If there is damage to the parathyroid glands, this will affect the levels of calcium in the blood, however, this is very rare.
There are few complications that result, but when they do, they typically fall into one of two categories: damage to the voice box and / or vocal cords, or damage to the parathyroid glands. If there is damage to the parathyroid glands, this will affect the levels of calcium in the blood, however, this is very rare.
There are three main types of thyroid surgery:
- Total Thyroidectomy -- complete removal of the thyroid.
- Subtotal Thyroidectomy -- removal of half of the gland
- Thyroid Lobectomy -- removal of only about a quarter of the gland
Thyroid Gland Removal
Definition: Thyroid gland removal is surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.
Definition: Thyroid gland removal is surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.
- Total thyroidectomy removes the entire gland.
- Subtotal or partial thyroidectomy removes part of the thyroid gland.
Alternative Names:
- Total thyroidectomy
- Partial thyroidectomy
- Thyroidectomy
Description: Thyroidectomy is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). Sometimes it is done with regional anesthesia (awake, but pain-free). The surgeon makes a cut in the neck and locates the gland. All or part of the thyroid gland, depending on the particular procedure, is removed.
Why is the Procedure Performed?
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) with enlargement of the gland
- Thyroid Cancer
- Thyroid swelling (nontoxic goiter)
- Hashimoto's disease (a type of hypothyroidism)
Surgical Risks
Risks for any anesthesia include the following:
- Reactions to medications
- Problems breathing
Risks for any surgery include the following:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Bleeding and possible airway obstruction
- Temporary or permanent loss of ability to speak due to paralysis of the vocal chords
- Inadequate thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
- Injury to the adjacent parathyroid glands
- Inadequate level of calcium in the blood known as hypocalcemia.
Outlook (Prognosis)
When performed by experienced endocrine surgeons, the outcome of thyroid surgery is usually excellent. Thyroid function tests may need to continue following thyroid surgery, and thyroid hormone replacement maybe necessary.
Recovery
In general, patients recover rapidly from uncomplicated thyroid surgery. Most patients are able to resume most normal activities within 1-2 weeks.
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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