Thyroidectomy

Alternative names

Total thyroidectomy; Partial thyroidectomy; Thyroid gland removal

Definition

Thyroid gland removal is surgery to remove all (total thyroidectomy) or part (subtotal or partial thyroidectomy) of the thyroid gland.

Description

Thyroidectomy is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). An incision is made in the front of the neck. All or part of the thyroid gland, depending on the particular procedure, is removed.

Indications

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism. Some diseases affect the gland by reducing its output of hormones (hypothyroidism), while others cause overproduction of hormones (hyperthyroidism).

Thyroid disorders are more common in older children and adolescents (especially in girls) than in infants. Most thyroid disorders can be treated with medication, but surgery is sometimes required.

Thyroidectomy may be recommended for the following:

• Increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis)
  
• Decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism) with enlargement (hypertrophy) of the gland
  
• Primary cancer of the thyroid
  
• Enlargement of the thyroid (nontoxic goiter)
  
• Patients unwilling to be treated with radioactive iodine whose hyperthyroidism cannot be treated with antithyroid drugs.
  
• Hashimoto's disease (a type of hypothyroidism)
  

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