What is Thyroid Gland?

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower front part of the neck, just below the voice box.

• The thyroid gland produces hormones. The blood carries these hormones to various tissues in the body.
• The thyroid gland helps to regulate metabolism.
• The thyroid gland also plays a vital role in keeping the organs function properly and helps the body in conserving heat.

Why is Thyroid Surgery Performed?

• symptomatic thyroid nodules
• recurrent thyroid cysts, goiter
• Graves' disease
• Thyroid cancer

Sometimes, abnormal functioning of the thyroid gland occurs where the overproduction of hormones occurs. The thyroid may also develop structural problems, such as swelling and abnormal cysts and nodules. Treatment of the above issues requires thyroid surgery.

Types of Thyroid Surgeries-

There are several different types of thyroid surgeries. The most common thyroid surgeries are

• Lobectomy
• Subtotal thyroidectomy
• Total thyroidectomy
• Robotic thyroidectomy

Lobectomy-
Sometimes, a nodule, an inflammation, or a swelling affects only half of the thyroid gland. To treat this, Lobectomy is performed, where one of the two lobes of the thyroid gland will be removed.

Subtotal thyroidectomy-
A subtotal thyroidectomy involves the removal of the thyroid gland leaving behind a small amount of thyroid tissue. The tissue left behind will preserve some of the thyroid functions.

The risk of Subtotal thyroidectomy is Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism can be treated with hormone supplements.

Total thyroidectomy-
Total thyroidectomy involves the removal of the entire Thyroid gland and the thyroid tissue. Total Thyroidectomy surgery is appropriate when nodules, swelling, or inflammation affect the whole thyroid gland or treat thyroid cancer.

Robotic thyroidectomy-
Another type of surgery called Robotic thyroidectomy. In Robotic thyroidectomy, all or part of the thyroid gland will be removed either through an axillary incision (via an armpit) or transorally (via the mouth)

Procedure for thyroid surgery-
It is important to note that you should not eat or drink anything for a few hours before
surgery.
Make sure you have the following diagnostic reports-

• Biopsy report
• Cytology report
• CT SCAN
• Ultrasound Scan

The surgery will be performed under general anesthesia.

The surgeon will make an incision over the thyroid gland and carefully remove all or part of the thyroid gland, depending on your condition. As the thyroid is small and is surrounded by nerves and glands, the procedure may take 2 hours or more.

Recovering at Home-
Most people take 1 to 2 weeks to recover. It will help if you do not drive for at least a week. There are no other restrictions. Depending upon the amount of thyroid tissue removed and the reason for your surgery, you may be placed on thyroid hormone supplements.