Thyroidectomy: Introduction To Surgery
Thyroidectomy is the removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. It produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, from your heart rate to know how quickly you burn calories. Thyroidectomy is used to treat thyroid disorders, such as cancer, non-cancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland, and an over-active gland. How much of your thyroid gland is removed during thyroidectomy, depends on the reason for surgery. If only a portion is removed, your thyroid gland may be able to maintain normal levels of thyroid hormone after surgery. If your entire thyroid gland is removed, you will need daily treatment with thyroid hormone to replace your thyroid’s natural function.
Thyroidectomy: During the Procedure
Your surgeon will perform a thyroidectomy using general anaesthesia. The surgical team will place several monitors on your body to ensure that your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen remain at safe levels throughout the procedure. Once under anaethesia, the surgeon makes a small incision in the front of your neck. All or part of the thyroid gland is then removed, depending on the reason for the surgery. If you are having a thyroidectomy to treat thyroid cancer, the surgeon may also examine and remove lympth nodes around your thyroid. The procedure might take up to a few hours.
Thyroidectomy: Post Operative
After the thyroidectomy procedure, you are moved to a recovery room where the health care team monitors your recovery from the surgery and anesthesia. You may have a drain near the incision in your neck. This drain is usually removed the morning after surgery.After a thyroidectomy, you may feel neck pain, a mild sore throat, and a hoarse or weak voice. These symptoms are often temporary and may be due to irritation from the breathing tube inserted into your wind pipe during surgery – or as a result of nerve irritation caused by the surgery. You will be able to eat and drink as usual after surgery. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may spend the night in the hospital. When you go home, you can usual return to your regular activities, often within a few weeks. Talk to your doctor about specific activity restrictions.
Thyroidectomy: Post Operative (no drain)
After the thyroidectomy procedure, you are moved to a recovery room where the health care team monitors your recovery from the surgery and anesthesia. After a thyroidectomy, you may feel neck pain, a mild sore throat, and a hoarse or weak voice. These symptoms are often temporary and may be due to irritation from the breathing tube inserted into your wind pipe during surgery – or as a result of nerve irritation caused by the surgery. You will be able to eat and drink as usual after surgery. Depending on the extent of your surgery, you may spend the night in the hospital. When you go home, you can usual return to your regular activities, often within a few weeks. Talk to your doctor about specific activity restrictions.