Dr.Satish c- Surgical Oncologist in bangalore
Thyroidectomy
Thyroidectomy refers to the surgical removal of your thyroid gland, in its entirety or in part. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland present at the base of your neck.
Thyroidectomy
Overview
. Thyroidectomy is recommended for the management of thyroid conditions, namely cancer, goiter, hyperactive thyroid, etc.
Thyroidectomy is a highly effective treatment option for localized thyroid cancers. For the best thyroidectomy results, patients need to choose the best thyroid specialist, who will assess the condition properly and administer the right treatment.
More about Thyroidectomy
Types
Following are the types of thyroidectomy:
- Lobectomy or Hemithyroidectomy: During this procedure, the surgeon will remove only one lobe of the thyroid gland.
- Partial Thyroidectomy: This procedure removes only some portion of the thyroid gland. This procedure preserves the thyroid function to some extent.
- Subtotal Thyroidectomy: This procedure removes the thyroid gland but leaves some thyroid tissue behind. Patients who undergo subtotal thyroidectomy often develop hypothyroidism and therefore will require hormone replacement therapy.
- Total Thyroidectomy: This procedure removes the thyroid gland entirely. Those who undergo total thyroidectomy will require lifelong thyroid hormone supplementation for normal functioning.
How is Thyroidectomy Performed?
During the procedure, the patient will be under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision along the crease at the base of the neck. Depending on the type of thyroidectomy decided, the surgeon may remove a lobe of the thyroid land, most of the thyroid gland, or the entire thyroid gland. Patients may go home the day after surgery, but occasionally they stay the night in the hospital. The team will keep an eye on the patient’s blood calcium levels after the procedure.
It is important to maintain optimum levels of thyroid hormones, as they control numerous vital functions. Usually, patients are recommended to undergo hormone replacement therapy after thyroidectomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
A thyroidectomy may be recommended in the following cases:
- Presence of thyroid nodules
- Hyperthyroidism
- Goiter
- Thyroid cancer
- Cancer metastasis to thyroid gland
This depends on the stage of cancer. Thyroidectomy for localized thyroid cancers shows excellent results. However, if cancer has spread outside the thyroid gland, thyroidectomy may be combined with other treatment options like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, etc. For more information on the disease prognosis, you should talk to your doctor.
Possible complications of thyroidectomy are bleeding, infection, hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone), nerve damage that may cause voice change, difficulties with swallowing, etc.
Thyroidectomy is a safe procedure, and it is one of the effective treatment options for thyroid cancer. Just like every other surgical procedure, thyroidectomy is also associated with complications like bleeding and infection, which can be managed with appropriate medical attention.
After thyroidectomy, the majority of patients are ready to go home in just one day; complete recovery may take a few weeks. For up to three weeks following surgery, you must avoid activities that could strain your neck, such as heavy lifting.
Dr. Satish C is the best head and neck surgeon in the city. He is the best surgeon for thyroidectomy in Bangalore.