Most Advanced Thyroidectomy
surgery in Faridabad

What is thyroidectomy?

Thyroidectomy is the removal of all or part of the thyroid gland. Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped bilobed gland placed at the base of the neck that produces metabolic hormones. Thyroidectomy is the most effective treatment for a variety of thyroid disorders like thyroid cancer, thyroid enlargement (goiter), overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), thyroid nodules, etc.

While medical management is the most prevalent treatment for thyroid problems, surgery becomes necessary in some cases. If there are suspicious nodules or cancerous growths on the thyroid gland, or if the patient is not receiving adequate relief from medical management, surgical intervention becomes necessary.

What happens during a thyroidectomy?

Thyroidectomy surgery procedure begins with a thorough diagnosis to ensure successful surgery with a quick recovery. Diagnostic procedures performed before a thyroidectomy are:-

1. Physical examination : Your ENT specialist Lotus Hospital Faridabad will collect your entire medical and family history and assess the state of your thyroid problems. They will also examine your thyroid gland for any abnormalities.

2. Blood tests : Blood tests are performed to measure the thyroxine (T4 hormone) and thyroid-stimulating hormones in the blood to help determine the presence of thyroid issues.

3. Thyroid activity tests : There are several imaging tests like thyroid scan, radioiodine uptake test, thyroid ultrasound, etc., that help determine the level of activity of the thyroid gland and whether there are any cysts, nodules, or tumors on the gland.

4. Tissue biopsy : If there is suspicious growth on the thyroid gland, a biopsy may be performed to extract tissue from the thyroid gland to determine if the patient has metastatic thyroid cancer.

How to prepare for the surgery?

Thyroidectomy is a major surgery and is generally performed under general anesthesia. Before the surgery, the surgeon will perform extensive diagnostic and imaging tests to determine how much of the thyroid tissue is to be removed.

If you are on blood thinners or similar medicines, then you need to stop those at least a couple of days before as that can increase the risk of complications.

Since the surgery is performed under general anesthesia, you cannot eat anything after midnight on the day of the surgery. You should also arrange for someone to take you home after the surgery.

What are the complications associated with a thyroidectomy?

• Infection : Postoperative infections are rare after thyroidectomy but if they happen, they can delay healing. If there is increased pain, swelling, warmth, redness, pus drainage, or fever after the surgery, then it may be a sign of surgical infection.

• Seroma : Seromas occur due to fluid collections at the surgical site. When small, they disappear within a few weeks, but if they are large, they need to be surgically drained to prevent airway obstruction.

• Hypocalcemia (Hypoparathyroidism) : Hypocalcemia, i.e., low blood calcium level, is a common side effect of thyroid/parathyroid gland removal. To manage this, patients have to take calcium supplements for at least one week after the surgery. At the first postoperative visit, blood calcium levels are checked and if normal, the patient can stop taking the supplements.

• Permanent hoarseness/Voice change : The recurrent laryngeal nerve is located in close proximity to the thyroid gland. If the nerves are irritated during the surgery, it can lead to temporary hoarseness, voice tiring, and weakness. It takes from a few weeks to six months to resolve. But if the nerve is damaged, then it will lead to a permanently hoarse voice.

• Airway obstruction : The patient may have breathing issues after the surgery due to compression of the trachea. It will usually resolve within the first 12-24 hours after the surgery, but if it persists, it can lead to hematoma formation and further health problems.