Alternate Names: Total thyroidectomy; Partial thyroidectomy; Thyroidectomy

Description:

While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), an incision is made in the front of the neck. The thyroid gland is removed. Up to 90% of the gland can be removed, although the amount varies according to the condition.

Indications: The thyroid gland , a part of the endocrine (hormone ) system, plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism. Some diseases affect the gland by reducing its output of hormones (hypothyroidism), while others cause overproduction (hyperthyroidism). Thyroid disorders are more common in older children and adolescents (especially in girls) than in infants. Most thyroid conditions can be treated medically, but occasionally surgery is required.

Thyroidectomy may be recommended for:

• increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism; thyrotoxicosis)
• decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism) with enlargement (hypertrophy) of the gland
• primary cancer of the thyroid
• enlargement of the thyroid (nontoxic goiter)

What To Expect After: The results of thyroid surgery are usually excellent. Monitoring of thyroid hormone production may continue for some months after the operation.

Convalescence: In general, recovery from thyroid surgery is very rapid, and you should be able to resume all normal activities, including going back to school or work within a few weeks.

Risks: Risks for any anesthesia are:

• reactions to medications
• problems breathing

• bleeding
• infection

• swelling and possible blockage (obstruction) of the airway (airway obstruction)
• temporary or permanent loss of ability to speak due to paralysis of the vocal chords
• inadequate thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
• inadequate level of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia)