Reasons for thyroid surgery
- A nodule that is cancerous or suspicious on fine needle aspiration biopsy
- A large goiter causing pressure, difficulty swallowing or breathing
- An overactive thyroid (for example, Graves’ disease or toxic nodules) when surgery is the preferred treatment
- A nodule that keeps growing or has uncertain biopsy results
Types of thyroidectomy
A thyroid lobectomy removes one side of the gland. Many people keep enough thyroid function afterward that they do not need hormone pills. A total thyroidectomy removes the whole gland, and lifelong thyroid hormone replacement is needed. The choice depends on the diagnosis, which Dr. Arsenous plans together with your endocrinologist.
Talk with Dr. Arsenous about your options.
How the operation is done
Under general anesthesia, a small incision is made in a natural crease of the lower neck. The thyroid is carefully separated from surrounding structures, with particular care to protect the nerves that control the voice and the parathyroid glands that regulate calcium.
Risks
Thyroid surgery is generally safe. Specific risks include temporary or, rarely, permanent hoarseness from nerve irritation, low calcium levels if the parathyroid glands are affected, bleeding in the neck and infection. Calcium levels are checked after total thyroidectomy.
Recovery
Most patients go home the same day or the next morning. A sore throat and mild neck discomfort are common for a few days. Many people return to desk work within one to two weeks. Thyroid hormone levels are checked at follow-up.
Seek emergency care for rapidly increasing neck swelling or difficulty breathing after surgery. Call the office for tingling around the mouth or in the fingers, which can be a sign of low calcium.