Thyroid surgery involves procedures to treat various thyroid conditions that affect hormone production and gland function.

Indications for Surgery

• Thyroid Cancer: Surgery is often recommended to remove cancerous thyroid nodules or the entire thyroid gland (thyroidectomy).
• Benign Nodules: Large or symptomatic nodules causing swallowing difficulties or compressing nearby structures may require surgical removal.
• Hyperthyroidism: In cases resistant to medical therapy or in Graves’ disease, surgery may be an option to remove part of the thyroid gland (subtotal thyroidectomy).

Types of Thyroid Surgery

• Total Thyroidectomy: Removal of the entire thyroid gland.
• Subtotal Thyroidectomy: Removal of a part of the thyroid gland, leaving a small amount of tissue.
• Thyroid Lobectomy: Removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland, preserving the other lobe.

Surgical Techniques Advancements in surgical techniques, including minimally invasive approaches such as endoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery, help minimize scarring and reduce recovery times.

Preparation and Recovery Patients undergo thorough preoperative evaluation, including thyroid function tests and imaging studies, to ensure optimal surgical planning. Post-surgery, patients receive hormone replacement therapy as needed and are monitored closely for complications such as hypocalcemia or vocal cord paralysis.

Benefits and Risks Benefits include resolution of symptoms, prevention or treatment of thyroid cancer, and restoration of normal thyroid function with appropriate hormone replacement therapy. Risks include potential damage to adjacent structures (such as the parathyroid glands and recurrent laryngeal nerve) and complications from anesthesia.