Health Encyclopedia

Thyroid gland removal

Definition

Thyroid gland removal is surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.

Total thyroidectomy removes the entire gland.
Subtotal or partial thyroidectomy removes part of the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and plays a major role in controlling the body's metabolism.

Alternative Names

Total thyroidectomy; Partial thyroidectomy; Thyroidectomy

Description

Thyroidectomy is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). Sometimes it is done with regional anesthesia (awake, but pain-free). The surgeon makes a cut in the neck and locates the gland. All or part of the thyroid gland, depending on the particular procedure, is removed.

Indications

Thyroidectomy may be recommended for the following:

Cancer of the thyroid
Hashimoto's disease (a type of hypothyroidism)
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) with enlargement of the gland
Thyroid swelling (nontoxic goiter)
Thyrotoxicosis

The procedure may also be done if a patient with an overactive thyroid does not want to have radioactive iodine treatment and cannot be treated with medications.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

Reactions to medications
Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery include the following:

Bleeding
Infection

Additional risks for thyroidectomy include the following:

Bleeding and possible airway obstruction
Temporary or permanent loss of ability to speak due to paralysis of the vocal chords
Inadequate thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
Injury to the adjacent parathyroid glands
Inadequate level of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia)

Expectations after surgery

When performed by experienced endocrine surgeons, the outcome of thyroid surgery is usually excellent. Thyroid function tests may need to continue following thyroid surgery, and thyroid hormone replacement maybe necessary.

Convalescence

In general, patients recover rapidly from uncomplicated thyroid surgery. Most patients are able to resume most normal activities within 1-2 weeks.

References

Hanks JB, Salomone LJ. Thyroid. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2008:chap 36.

Review Date:7/22/2008
Reviewed By:Shimul A. Shah, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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