- Thyroid Nodules: Abnormal growths or nodules on the thyroid gland, which may be cancerous or cause other complications.
Types of Thyroidectomy: The type of thyroidectomy performed depends on the extent of the thyroid disorder:
- Total Thyroidectomy: Removal of the entire thyroid gland, often indicated for thyroid cancer or severe hyperthyroidism.
- Partial Thyroidectomy (Thyroid Lobectomy): Removal of only a portion of the thyroid gland, usually for small, localized tumors or nodules.
Procedure: Thyroidectomy is typically performed under general anesthesia and involves the following steps:
- Incision: A small incision is made in the lower front portion of the neck to access the thyroid gland.
- Gland Exposure: The surgeon carefully exposes the thyroid gland and surrounding structures.
- Gland Removal: Depending on the type of thyroidectomy, either a portion or the entire thyroid gland is removed, taking care to preserve nearby nerves and structures.
- Closure: The incision site is closed using sutures or surgical staples, and a sterile dressing is applied.
Post-Procedure Care: After thyroidectomy, patients may experience temporary symptoms such as:
- Neck Pain: Common after surgery but usually managed with pain medication and resolves over time.
- Voice Changes: Hoarseness or weak voice due to irritation of the vocal cords, often resolves as swelling subsides.
- Hormone Replacement: Patients who undergo total thyroidectomy may require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy to maintain normal hormone levels.
- Follow-Up: Patients are scheduled for regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing, hormone levels, and overall recovery progress.
Complications: While thyroidectomy is generally safe, complications can occur, including:
- Bleeding: Risk of post-operative bleeding or hematoma formation at the surgical site.
- Infection: Risk of wound infection or deep neck infection requiring antibiotic treatment.
- Nerve Damage: Potential injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve or superior laryngeal nerve, leading to voice changes, difficulty swallowing, or vocal cord paralysis.
- Hypoparathyroidism: Reduced parathyroid hormone levels due to damage or removal of the parathyroid glands, resulting in low blood calcium levels and requiring calcium supplementation.
