Thyroidectomy
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Editorial Staff and Contributors DefinitionThyroidectomy 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:
Reasons for ProcedureAll or part of the thyroid gland may be surgically removed for any of the following reasons:
Possible ComplicationsProblems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
What to ExpectPrior to ProcedureYour doctor may do the following:
Leading up to your procedure:
AnesthesiaGeneral anesthesia will be used. You will be asleep. Description of ProcedureAn 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 StayThe usual length of stay is one day. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise. Post-procedure CareAt the Hospital
At HomeTo help ensure a smooth recovery:
Call Your DoctorIt 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:
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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