Thyroidectomy: definition, purpose and procedure

Thyroidectomy: definition, purpose, and procedure

Thyroidectomy is a type of surgery that aims to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. It is done once the thyroid has some abnormal conditions. Thyroid diseases may make breathing or swallowing difficult and interfere with the patient’s normal metabolism. Thyroidectomy is also done when the surgeon diagnoses cancer. Thyroidectomy can be done by different methods.

What is thyroid?

Thyroid is a gland that is located at the base of the neck. Thyroid has a butterfly shape. Thyroid function is to produce hormones that regulate metabolism in the body. All aspect of metabolism from heart rate to calorie burn are regulating by thyroid.

Thyroid may have various problems such as cancer, noncancerous enlargement (goiter), getting overactive (hyperthyroidism), and indeterminate or suspicious nodules. Goiter that causes swelling in front of the neck may make breathing or swallowing difficult. Hyperthyroidism causes abnormally increased use of oxygen and other materials such as nutrients.

In these cases, thyroidectomy is recommended to solve the problem. Depending on the disease all or one part of the thyroid is removed. If just a small part of thyroid is removed, it will function normally after the operation. But, if all of thyroid is removed, the patient will need daily treatment with thyroid hormone. The treatment is done to replace thyroid natural function.

However, thyroidectomy may have some risks like other surgeries, so it should be done only when there is a pressing reason.

Types of thyroidectomy

There are three approaches to this surgery:

• Conventional thyroidectomy

In this procedure, the incision is made in front of your neck so that the surgeon directly accesses your thyroid gland. This method is more common compared to other types.

• Trans oral thyroidectomy

In this method the incision will not made in neck and the surgeon performs the surgery by making an incision inside the mouth.

• Endoscopic thyroidectomy

In this method small incisions are made in the neck. The surgeon inserts a small video camera and surgical instruments through the incisions. The camera displays the area on the screen and guides the surgeon.

Thyroidectomy procedure description

Thyroidectomy is done under general anesthesia. When you fall to sleep the surgeon makes an incision. The incision’s area depends on the type of the surgery. It is of great importance in this surgery that the surgeon separates the thyroid gland from parathyroid glands that may be located on thyroid gland and preserve them. They might be injured or removed. Parathyroid glands regulate your body’s calcium level. They may under-perform for several weeks after the surgery. Thus, your blood calcium level will be normal after discharge.

The surgeon may place a drain (a soft plastic tube that drains fluid out of the place) before he/she closes the incisions. The surgeon closes the incision(s) either with stitches or metal clips.

Thyroidectomy usually takes between 1 to 2 hours. But, this time may get longer or shorter depending on the extent of the surgery.