Surgery Encyclopedia | Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

Thyroidectomy - Series

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Normal Anatomy

The thyroid gland, a part of the endocrine (hormone) system, plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism.

Normal anatomy

Indications

Thyroidectomy may be recommended for:

increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism; thyrotoxicosis)
decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism) with enlargement(hypertrophy) of the gland
primary cancer of the thyroid
enlargement of the thyroid (nontoxic goiter)

Indications

Incision

While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), an incision is made in the front of the neck.

Incision

Procedure

The thyroid gland is removed. Either one lobe of the thyroid gland, or the entire gland, is removed, depending on the disease process being treated.

Procedure

Aftercare

The results of thyroid surgery are usually excellent. Monitoring of thyroid hormone production may continue for some months after the operation. Some patients may need to take supplemental thyroid hormone after thyroidectomy.

Aftercare

Review Date: Jul 22, 2008
Reviewed By: Shimul A. Shah, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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