What is a thyroidectomy and when is it done?

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Thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ composed of two cone-like lobes or wings connected via the isthmus. The gland regulates metabolism by secreting hormones. When diseases affect the thyroid, its size or activity may become abnormal.

Thyroidectomy

A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the thyroid gland A thyroidectomy is traditionally a minimally invasive surgery performed through a small horizontal incision in the front of the neck. The entire thyroid gland may be removed or just a single lobe. Depending on the extent of the operation, patients may need to take the drug levothyroxine, an oral synthetic thyroid hormone.

Reasons for performing a thyroidectomy

Doctors often recommend thyroidectomy to treat the following disorders and diseases:

The most common reason for thyroid surgery is the presence of nodules or tumors on the thyroid gland. Most nodules are benign, but some can be cancerous or precancerous.
Even benign nodules can cause problems if they grow large enough to obstruct the throat.
Thyroidectomy is an effective treatment for the treatment of thyroid cancer.
Surgery can correct hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is frequently the result of an autoimmune disorder called Graves’ disease.
Another reason for thyroid surgery is the swelling or enlargement of the thyroid gland. This is referred to as a goiter. Like large nodules, goiters can block the throat and interfere with eating, speaking, and breathing.

Types of Thyroidectomy

The various types of thyroidectomy include:

Partial thyroid lobectomy (a rare procedure): Only part of one thyroid lobe is removed.
Thyroid lobectomy: All of one thyroid lobe is removed.
Thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy :All of one thyroid lobe is removed, together with the section between the two lobes (called the thyroid isthmus).
Subtotal thyroidectomy: One thyroid lobe, the isthmus and part of the second lobe are removed.
Total thyroidectomy:The entire thyroid gland is removed.

Surgical procedures

Most thyroidectomies are performed under general anesthesia, meaning you are asleep and pain-free during the procedure.

Traditional Thyroidectomy: The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin of the neck as close to a natural crease as possible to reduce the appearance of the scar. The surgeon parts a thin layer of muscle to gain access to the thyroid gland, then removes one or both lobes of the thyroid gland as well as any nearby lymph nodes that may be affected by disease.

Endoscopic thyroidectomy: A viewing instrument called an endoscope and small surgical instruments will be inserted into your neck through three or four small incisions. Each incision is about 3 millimeters to 5 millimeters long (less than ¼ inch). Then the surgeon will use a tiny camera on the endoscope to guide the instruments and remove your thyroid tissue.

Complications of thyroidectomy

Thyroidectomy has its own side effects like other surgical procedures. Threats and complications of thyroidectomy include:

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury
There are parathyroid glands that lie behind your thyroid gland that help to control your blood calcium levels. If they are injured or removed (can lie within the thyroid gland) during your operation, then your blood calcium can be too low.
Bleeding
Infection