Thyroid surgery is performed in a number of circumstances, including when
cancers are found, when enlargement causes cosmetic or respiratory
problems, when other forms of treatment are ineffective, and when a
pregnant woman's hyperthyroidism cannot be controlled by other means. In
most cases, surgery of the thyroid is not highly complicated, and usually
takes no more than two hours. It is frequently performed on an outpatient
or overnight basis, with general anesthesia.
There are three main types of thyroid surgery:
- Total Thyroidectomy -- complete removal of the thyroid.
- Subtotal Thyroidectomy -- removal of half of the gland
- Thyroid Lobectomy -- removal of only about a quarter of the gland
There are few complications that result, but when they do, they typically
fall into one of two categories: damage to the voice box and / or vocal
cords, or damage to the parathyroid glands. If there is damage to the
parathyroid glands, this will affect the levels of calcium in the blood,
however, this is very rare.
See the
Thyroid Surgery FAQ for
highly detailed information about thyroid surgery, including information about what you are likely to
experience,
recuperation, and thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and how to find a top thyroid surgeon.
