The thyroid is the part of your body that stays at the lower front part of your neck and can be spotted in a small butterfly shape. It plays an important part in the body by producing several hormones that circulate across different organs maintaining the body temperatures and metabolism.
Besides, thyroid also helps the heart and digestive system to function properly. The process of thyroid gland removal is known as the thyroid surgery or Thyroidectomy under which a part or the entire thyroid is removed. The thyroid surgery is done for a variety of reason, and the cause also decides the amount of thyroid needs to be removed.
Purpose of Thyroidectomy
Thyroid surgery is practiced under a number of circumstances, including-
- In order to treat or cure thyroid cancer, thyroid surgery is mandatory for the patient in this case.
- Removal of the small growths like cyst or nodules from your thyroid gland
- Facing the breathing problem or swallowing issue due to multiple nodules on enlarged thyroid.
- Pregnant women with a hyperthyroid problem that is uncontrollable with the help of medication or antithyroid drugs.
- In order to avoid radioactive iodine
Types of Thyroid surgery
There are basically two types of surgery practiced by the surgeons including total and partial thyroidectomy.
Total Thyroidectomy
This is practiced for the extreme thyroid issues where all the thyroid is removed from your body. Total Thyroidectomy is performed especially for the thyroid cancer or enlarged thyroid with multiple nodules that are too dangerous and need to be treated immediately.
Partial / Subtotal Thyroidectomy
This type of surgery is understandable with the name under which the surgeons only removes a part of your thyroid depending upon the problem. In partial surgery, the surgeons perform a bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy leaving 1 to 2 grams on both sides of the thyroid. This surgery also knows partial thyroid removal surgery.
There is also a third type of Thyroid surgery Isthmusectomy in which the surgeon removes a piece of tissue connecting the two lobes of the thyroid. The small tissue is known as the isthmus; small tumors on this tissue require isthmusectomy.
Procedure
Before undergoing a Thyroid surgery the doctor will give you a certain instruction to prepare for the surgery. This includes not eating or drinking for a certain period of time prior to the surgery. The surgery usually lasts for almost 2 hours and the patient is treated under anesthesia, so the patient falls asleep and doesn’t feel anything. Mostly the surgeon starts with making an incision on the neck avoiding the vocal cords. Once the surgery is performed the patient wakes up after the effect of anesthesia. The patient can go home the same day after getting checked up for few tests by doctor and staff.
Recovery
Talking about the recovery after the thyroid surgery there is nothing much to worry about. The patient can go back to his/her regular routine just a day after the surgery. However, they can be restricted to some physical activities for a few days instructed by the doctor. Besides, the doctor will also prescribe some of the drinkings and eating prescription. The patient may feel a sore throat for a few days, which is fine. Apart from these, there could be a little pain in the throat for which you will be advised to have some painkillers.
Short term side effects
There could be a few sides effects that will last for a few days including
- Pain when swallowing
- Neck pain
- Sore throat
- Neck stiffness
Choosing the surgeon
The complications in Thyroid surgery may arise due to the surgeon with fewer years of experience. The surgery requires a professional thyroid surgeon who has done plenty of surgeries in his or her career. Besides, while choosing the surgeon make sure that he or she performs surgery on a daily basis with great results.