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About thyroidectomy surgery

A thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of the thyroid gland (partial or total) for a variety of reasons such as thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, etc. The amount of thyroid tissue to be removed depends on the severity and the nature of the thyroid disease. The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck that controls the metabolism. Hence, thyroid diseases can wreak havoc on the entire body if not treated properly in time. While for some thyroid issues such as Graves’ disease, hyperthyroidism, etc., medical management is possible in mild cases, for others such as thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, etc., immediate surgical management is preferred. At Pristyn Care, you can consult the best ENT specialists in Hyderabad for expert consultation and treatment regarding thyroid issues.

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Overview

Types of thyroidectomy based on technique

Conventional thyroidectomy
Transoral thyroidectomy
Endoscopic thyroidectomy

Types of thyroidectomy based on thyroid tissue removal

Total thyroidectomy (TT)
Subtotal thyroidectomy (STT)
Thyroid lobectomy (Hemithyroidectomy)
Thyroid isthmusectomy

Recovery period for thyroidectomy

Hospitalization: 1-2 days
Resume work: 5-6 days
Perform strenuous exercise and activity: 10-14 days
Total recovery: 3-4 weeks

Risks of delaying thyroidectomy

Graves’ disease
Thyroid storm
Thyrotoxic crisis
Metastasis of thyroid cancer
Airway obstruction
Difficulty in speaking and swallowing, etc.

Facts you should know about thyroidectomy

Thyroid cancer can be completely cured through thyroidectomy and radiotherapy.
Thyroid disease can occur in people of any age and gender.
You may need to take TSH and thyroid hormone supplements for a long time after surgery.
Only 5% of thyroid lumps are cancerous.
Benign lumps can grow and cause problems like airway obstruction, difficulty in speaking and swallowing, etc.

Thyroidectomy diagnosis and procedure

Diagnosis of thyroid problems

Proper diagnosis is necessary to provide the right treatment for full recovery without recurrence. The diagnosis begins with a proper medical history to determine the cause of the disease. Once the history is taken, the doctor will perform several diagnostic tests to determine the exact nature of the disease.

Physical examination: The ENT surgeon will palpate the neck and throat region to see if you have a goiter or swollen lymph nodes. If so, they will schedule further lab tests for you.
Blood tests: Blood tests to measure thyroxine (T4 hormone) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) can help confirm a thyroid disorder diagnosis. Hyperthyroidism is characterized by high thyroxine levels and low or nonexistent TSH levels (overactive thyroid gland).
Radioiodine uptake test: This test is used to determine how much iodine our thyroid gland absorbs by having the patient consume radioactive iodine orally. Increased iodine uptake indicates extra thyroxine production caused by Graves’ disease or hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules.
Thyroid scan: This procedure involves injecting radioactive iodine into the patient’s bloodstream in order to see the amount of iodine uptake by the gland and determine whether the patient has thyroid issues such as hyperthyroidism, cancer, or other growths.
Thyroid ultrasound: Ultrasounds are extremely useful for imaging thyroid problems in patients where radioactive exposure is prohibited, such as pregnant women, developing children, etc.
Tissue biopsy: If the patient has suspicious nodules/growths on the thyroid gland, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy may be performed to extract thyroid gland tissue to determine if the patient has thyroid cancer.

Depending on the type and severity of the patient’s symptoms, the doctor may order additional diagnostic tests such as antibody tests, endoscopy, etc.

Thyroidectomy procedure

Depending on the cause and severity of the symptoms and the patient’s and surgeon’s preference, the surgeon will determine the amount of the thyroid tissue to be removed. Types of surgical techniques for thyroidectomy are:

Open/conventional thyroidectomy: It used to be the most common approach for thyroid surgery. The surgeon makes a neck incision to gain direct access to the thyroid gland. Since this surgery is performed by cutting the neck muscles for access to the thyroid gland, it is not preferred anymore.
Transoral thyroidectomy: For transoral thyroidectomy, the surgeon does not make an external incision. Thus it is more pleasing aesthetically for most patients. The surgical instruments are inserted through the mouth, and the surgery is performed through internal incisions.
Endoscopic thyroidectomy: It is a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon makes small incisions in the neck and inserts surgical instruments (including a small endoscope) through these incisions. The camera assists in guiding the surgical instruments and ensuring that the surrounding tissues are not damaged. Most surgeons nowadays prefer endoscopic procedures.

At Pristyn Care, you can avail expert consultation with the best ENT surgeons near you for thyorid treatment and thyroidectomy in <city>.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of thyroidectomy in Hyderabad?

Thyroid operation cost in Hyderabad ranges from Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 90,000. However, this cost is very subjective and can vary based on a variety of factors such as type of surgery, amount of tissue removed, severity of the condition, etc.

Is thyroidectomy painful?

Thyroidectomy surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient is unconscious during it and does not feel any pain. After the surgery, there may be some pain and discomfort in the neck along with hoarseness of the voice, but they only last for a few days and can be managed using medications.

What are the types of thyroidectomy provided at Pristyn Care in Hyderabad?

A thyroidectomy can be of the following types:

Total thyroidectomy: removal of the entire thyroid gland
Thyroid lobectomy: an entire lobe of the thyroid gland is removed
Near-total thyroidectomy: almost the entire gland is removed, but a small sliver is preserved to maintain thyroid function
Subtotal thyroidectomy: a majority of the gland is removed, but a portion of either of the lobes is preserved
Thyroid isthmusectomy: isthmus is removed

What are the chances of recurrence of thyroid problems after thyroidectomy?

Yes, thyroid problems can recur, although the likelihood of the thyroid gland growing back or the recurrence of benign/carcinogenic disorders of the thyroid is about 5-20% depending on the disease.

How should I prepare for thyroidectomy?

Once your surgery is scheduled, you need to take some precautions to ensure there are no postoperative complications. If you are taking any blood thinners or clotters, you may need to stop them 2-3 days before the surgery.

Since the surgery is performed under general anesthesia, you cannot eat or drink anything after midnight before the surgery. You should also prepare a 1-2 day hospital bag and arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery.

How long will it take to fully recover from a thyroidectomy?

Barring any complications, patients are discharged within 1-2 days of the surgery and they can return to work within a week, but for strenuous physical activity, they should wait for at least 2-3 weeks. Complete recovery can take about 3-4 months.

Why is a partial thyroidectomy preferred over a total thyroidectomy?

Hemithyroidectomy (partial thyroidectomy) is usually preferred over total thyroidectomy as it reduces the patient’s overall need for TSH, thyroxine, and other supplements, however, after a total thyroidectomy, patients need daily hormone supplements to replace the thyroid’s natural function.

For which thyroid problems is a hemithyroidectomy performed?

Hemithyroidectomy is usually performed if the patient has hyperthyroidism or a nodule/growth attached to just one lobe of the thyroid gland to treat the thyroid issue while preserving thyroid function.

What is the life expectancy of people who’ve undergone a thyroidectomy?

Thyroid removal surgery, even total thyroidectomy, has no effect on life expectancy. While the quality of life of the patient may be slightly lower following the surgery, the after-effects of the treatment are easily manageable through medicines and supplements.

How long does it take for a thyroidectomy scar to fade?

Depending on the length of the scar, the surgical technique, and the surgeon’s expertise, the surgical scar from a thyroidectomy usually fades away within 3-6 months

What are the risks associated with thyroidectomy surgery?

With the advancement in medicine, thyroidectomy has become a very safe procedure. However, there are some thyroidectomy complications that can still occur, such as:

Hemorrhage and infection: Postoperative infections can delay healing and lead to further complications. Make sure there is no pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or pus drainage at the surgical site after the surgery.
Seroma: Sometimes, there can be fluid collection at the surgical site, known as a seroma. Generally, small seromas disappear on their own but if large, they can cause further delay in healing.

Airway obstruction: The trachea may be compressed during the surgery, which may lead to a hematoma formation and airway obstruction if not resolved promptly.

Damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve: Irritation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is common during a thyroidectomy, but if the nerve is injured, it can lead to a permanently hoarse and weak voice.
Low PTH and calcium levels: Low serum calcium and PTH levels are common side effects of thyroid/parathyroid gland removal. To manage this, the patient may have to take supplements for a long time.

How can I improve my recovery after the surgery?

You should follow the given tips to improve your recovery after a thyroidectomy surgery:

Although there are no restrictions on food after the surgery, since you may have a sore throat, you should eat soft, cold, and easy-to-swallow foods for a few days and avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy meals.
You should take your pain, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic medications, hormone supplements, etc., as prescribed to ensure your recovery stays on track.
There are no restrictions on light activities after hospital discharge. You should start taking short walks almost immediately after the surgery.
Since the neck is retracted for the surgery, neck stiffness and soreness are expected after the surgery, so you should perform gentle neck exercises to relieve that.
Your voice may be hoarse and weak after the surgery, but you should not refrain from talking during the recovery period.
You can shower within 24-48 hours of the surgery, but you must be careful and avoid wetting your incision/bandage. Avoid swimming, baths, and hot tubs for at least 2 weeks post-surgery.