Thyroidectomy

Thyroid

Through the hormones it produces, the thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much thyroid hormone results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.

Although the effects can be unpleasant or uncomfortable, most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated.

What is Thyroidectomy?

Thyroidectomy is the removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. It produces hormones that regulate every aspect of your metabolism, from your heart rate to how quickly you burn calories.

Thyroidectomy is used to treat thyroid disorders, such as cancer, noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). How much of your thyroid gland is removed during thyroidectomy depends on the reason for surgery. If only a portion is removed (partial thyroidectomy), your thyroid may be able to function normally after surgery. If your entire thyroid is removed (total thyroidectomy), you need daily treatment with thyroid hormone to replace your thyroid’s natural function.

A thyroidectomy may be recommended for conditions such as:

• Thyroid cancer. Cancer is the most common reason for thyroidectomy. If you have thyroid cancer, removing most, if not all, of your thyroid will likely be a treatment option.

• Noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid (goiter). Removing all or part of your thyroid gland is an option if you have a large goiter that is uncomfortable or causes difficulty breathing or swallowing, or in some cases, if the goiter is causing hyperthyroidism.

• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). : Is a benign condition in which the uterus moves from its usual place down into the vagina. Uterine prolapse is due to weak and stretched pelvic ligaments and tissues, and can lead to urinary problems, pelvic pressure or difficulty with bowl movements. Childbirth, obesity and loss of estrogen after menopause may contribute to this problem.

Types of Thyroidectomy

Before a dentist advises an all on four implants surgery, the following cases have to be ruled out:

• Total Thyroidectomy or the Complete Removal of the Thyroid – This is the most common type of Thyroid Surgery and most often used for thyroid cancer. In particular, it is advised for aggressive cancers, such as medullary or anaplastic thyroid cancer. It is also used for goiter and Graves’ hyperthyroidism treatment. Post a complete removal of the thyroid gland, the patient has to be on constant medication and daily treatment is needed to keep the body’s thyroid needs fulfilled.

• Partial Thyroidectomy or Removal of Half of the Thyroid Gland – Also known as Subtotal Thyroidectomy, this operation is generally advised for removal of small and non-aggressive cancer and is contained to one side of the gland. After a partial thyroidectomy, the patient’s thyroid gland is able to function naturally and normally.

• Thyroid Lobectomy or Removal of Only About a Quarter of the Gland – A less used approach, this type of Thyroidectomy is advised for very small and non-aggressive cancers as well as in the case of not very severe hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. The gland resumes normal functioning post surgery.

Minimally invasive surgery is also known as endoscopic surgery. You also may be familiar with terms like laparoscopic surgery or “keyhole” surgery. These are minimally invasive procedures that utilize an endoscope to reach internal organs through very small incisions.

During endoscopic surgery the surgeon inserts a thin, flexible tube with a video camera through a small incision or a natural orifice like the mouth or nostrils. The tube has a channel to utilize tiny surgical instruments, which the surgeon uses while viewing the organs on a computer monitor.

This technique allows the surgeon to see inside the patient’s body and operate through a much smaller incision than would otherwise be required for traditional open surgery.

In this procedure along with the removal of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, upper vagina, connective tissue surrounding the uterus and the nearby lymph nodes are also removed. This generally indicated in cancers of the uterus.

• Small incisions

• Less pain

• Low risk of infection

• Short hospital stay

• Quick recovery time

• Less scarring

• Reduced blood loss

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What is the Recovery time After Thyroidectomy Surgery?

Once the surgery is complete, nurse will monitor your recovery in a post-operative or recovery unit. You will be educated on how to change your dressings and properly care for your incision. You should inspect the incision daily and report any redness or other signs of infection to your physician. If the entire gland is removed, you will be required to take thyroid supplements for life. Most patients are discharged from the hospital one to four days after the procedure. Most resume their normal activities two weeks after the operation. Patients who have cancer may require subsequent treatment by an oncologist or an endocrinologist.

How to do Follow-Up Care Post Thyroidectomy Surgery?

• Clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide using a cotton swab twice each day

• Apply antibiotic ointment (bacitracin or polysporin) to the wound

• If you have a bulb type drain, empty the drain bulb twice each day and record the output

• The skin around the incision will be numb for several months after surgery

• Three weeks after surgery, you may begin to massage the wound using a vitamin E or aloe containing lotion or oil. This will soften the scar over time

• The sutures or the metal clips are removed three to seven days after the operation. Once the sutures are out, you may wash the wound with mild soap and water and gently dry the area

What are Benefits of Thyroidectomy Surgery?

Surgery is excellent therapy for hyperthyroidism with hardly any complications or recurrences. It is a great relieve for those not able to conceive and renders childbearing possible. Thyroidectomy also helps in avoiding long-term side-effects of antithyroid medications. Advanced technology and modern methods of treatment have decreased risks greatly and improved results of thyroidectomy. The new minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy has several advantages over the current standard treatment which include smaller incisions that allows patient to heal faster. This helps patient to return to their normal lives sooner.

What are Side- effects of Thyroidectomy Surgery?

• Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism, which include tingling and spasms of the extremities

• Fever

• Redness or swelling around the incision

• Warm incision

• Drainage from the incision

Why consider India for Thyroidectomy Surgery?

Indian hospitals use most advanced and modern techniques and methods for Thyroidectomy surgery. There are many highly skilled consultant surgeons who use the most up to date, specialized techniques. These surgeons successfully discharge each case they handle safely and comfortably. Most of the hospitals in India have state-of-the-art facility and high class infrastructure that provide all the resources for critical surgeries like Thyroidectomy surgery. Indian hospitals offer these services in a comfortable setting where the staff is friendly and compassionate. The surgeons in India deal very efficiently with all the doubts and fears that a patient may have.