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Thyroidectomy

by Editorial Staff and Contributors

Definition

Reasons for Procedure

Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Definition

Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. This gland is in the neck. It produces hormones that regulate metabolism. The surgery may be a:

Total or near-total thyroidectomy—all of the thyroid is removed
Thyroid lobectomy or partial thyroidectomy—removal of only a part of the right or left lobe and/or center of the thyroid

The Thyroid Gland

Reasons for Procedure

All or part of the thyroid gland may be surgically removed for any of the following reasons:

Overactive thyroid, known as hyperthyroidism, due to Graves disease or an over-functioning nodule
Enlarged thyroid, known as a goiter, causing significant symptoms because of its size
Thyroid nodule(s) that are suspicious or cause concern for thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer

Possible Complications

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

Damage to the parathyroid glands
Scarring
Bleeding
Infection
Low blood calcium—usually temporary
Voice changes due to damage to nerves leading to the voice box—rare
Thyrotoxic crisis, which is a sudden excessive release of thyroid hormone at toxic levels—very rare

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Severe hyperthyroidism
Large goiter
Obesity
Smoking
Alcohol use disorder
Poor nutrition
Long-term illness, such as diabetes

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

Physical exam
Laboratory and/or imaging tests to assess thyroid function and anatomy, such as:
- Ultrasound
- MRI scan
- Thyroid hormone testing
- Thyroid scan

Leading up to your procedure:

Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure.
You may be treated with anti-thyroid medications to suppress thyroid activity if you have hyperthyroidism
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure.
Arrange for transportation to and from the hospital.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep.

Description of Procedure

An incision will be made in the front of the neck. Bleeding vessels will be clamped and tied off. All or part of the thyroid gland will be cut away from other tissues in the neck. Care will be taken to avoid injury to other nearby glands, especially the parathyroid gland, and nerves. Bleeding is controlled with special tools that compress and seal the ends of the vessels. The incision will be closed. The edges of skin will be stitched together. A drain will often be left in overnight. It will help drain any extra fluids.

The thyroid may be removed to treat thyroid cancer. In this case, lymph nodes in the area may also be removed. This will test if the cancer has spread.

In some cases, the doctor may be able to remove the thyroid using endoscopic surgery. This involves making small incisions, instead of a large incision in the neck. This is becoming more common.

How Long Will It Take?

About 2-4 hours

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.

Average Hospital Stay

The usual length of stay is one day. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

There will be discomfort in your neck for several days. The pain can be treated with medication.
In some cases, you may have a hoarse voice for a few days.
Depending on how much of the thyroid is removed, you may need to take replacement thyroid hormone.
In some cases of thyroid cancer, you may need radioactive iodine treatments. This is called remnant ablation.

At Home

To help ensure a smooth recovery:

Keep the incision clean and dry to prevent infection.
Take all medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Follow any activity restrictions.
Perform neck exercises as instructed by your healthcare team.

Call Your Doctor

It is important for you to monitor your recovery after you leave the hospital. Alert your doctor to any problems right away. If any of the following occur, call your doctor:

Numbness or tingling around the lips or extremities
Twitching or muscle spasms
Excessive and progressive fatigue
Difficulty swallowing, talking, or breathing
Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
Persistent nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medications you were given
Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
Pain that you cannot control with the medications you were given

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

RESOURCES:

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
http://www.entnet.org

National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca

Canadian Society of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery
http://www.entcanada.org

References:

Q & A: Thyroidectomy. American Thyroid Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed May 16, 2016.

Thyroidectomy. Cedars-Sinai website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed May 16, 2016.

Thyroidectomy. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed May 16, 2016.

Last reviewed May 2018 by Michael Woods, MD
Last Updated: 5/23/2014

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