Thyroidectomy

A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure in which the thyroid gland is removed entirely or in part. Thyroid cancer is the most common surgical treatment for thyroid disease, and thyroidectomy is the primary surgical treatment.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that enter the blood to regulate your metabolism. It uses iodine from the food one consumes to create these hormones.

A thyroidectomy can treat the following conditions:

• Thyroid cancer
• Noncancerous thyroid enlargement (goitre)
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)

Alternate Name of Thyroidectomy

Hemi-thyroidectomy, thyroid lobectomy

Body Location

The front of the neck

How is it Thyroidectomy Performed?

Thyroidectomy is performed under general anaesthesia by surgeons. The anaesthetic medication is given as gas through a mask or a liquid injected into the vein. A breathing tube is also inserted into your trachea at this point to help you breathe during the procedure.

The doctor monitors your oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. These monitors have two parts: the cuff on your arm that measures your blood pressure and the leads attached to your chest.

A central neck incision will be made while you are unconscious. After the incision has healed, it can be covered by a skin crease

Thyroidectomy usually takes one to two hours, although it might take longer or shorter depending on the surgery's complexity.

Preparation of Thyroidectomy

• Preoperative Test: Hyperthyroidism may require the use of an iodine and potassium solution to manage thyroid function and minimise postoperative bleeding.
• Food and Medication: To avoid anaesthesia issues, you must avoid drinking and eating before surgery. You'll get personalised instructions from your doctor.
• Additional Precautions: Ask a family member or friend to take you home from the hospital after your procedure. Leave your jewellery at home.

Thyroidectomy Procedure Types

• Conventional thyroidectomy
• Transoral thyroidectomy
• Endoscopic thyroidectomy

Follow up

After surgery, you will be shifted to a recovery room where the medical staff monitors your post-surgery recovery

You can eat and drink after surgery. In some cases, you may be able to leave the hospital the same day as your surgery, while in others, your doctor may advise you to stay overnight.

Some patients may require a drain to be placed under the neck incision. In most cases, patients can remove this drain the next day.

Some people experience neck pain and hoarse or weak voices after thyroidectomy. It does not necessarily mean that your vocal cords have been damaged. These symptoms may result from the breathing tube that is inserted into the windpipe during surgery. Nerve irritation caused by the surgery may also lead to these signs.

When you return home, you can usually resume your normal routine. It is recommended to wait at least 10-14 days before engaging in any strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting or sports.

Surgical scars can fade for up to a year. Your doctor may advise using sunscreen to help hide the scar.

Risks

Thyroidectomy is generally safe. However, like any surgical procedure, it has some risks. They include:

• Bleeding: Incisions in the throat may lead to bleeding or blood clots. Excessive bleeding can obstruct the airway and cause difficulty in breathing./li>
• Infection: The surgical wound may develop a skin-level infection.
• Hypoparathyroidism: This condition occurs from damage to or surgical removal of the parathyroid glands, which are responsible for maintaining calcium levels in the blood. Hypoparathyroidism causes itching, numbness, and cramping.
• Voice loss: In some cases, the voice may not recover its original pitch due to nerve damage.

Recovery

After surgery, you must care for your incision area. Until the wound heals, your doctor may or may not allow you to shower, bathe, or swim.

It is normal to have bruising or swelling around the scar. However, if you notice any significant swelling, call your surgeon immediately as this could be an infection

The scar may turn pink and become hard. Hardening occurs approximately three weeks after surgery and gradually fades over two to three months. Unscented moisturising cream applied to the wound might help soften and prevent dryness.

Before returning to work or other everyday routines, take leave for a week or two. Avoid lifting heavy objects for two weeks following surgery to minimise neck strain.