Thyroid Gland Removal Surgery in Chunni-ganj, Kanpur

The thyroid gland plays an important role in performing vital roles in the body. It produces hormones that regulate the body temperature and ensures metabolism.

The thyroid helps in maintaining bone health and also in muscle control. It supports the digestive system as well as the heart.

The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly and is located at the base of the front of the neck.

Why Is Thyroid Removal Done?

Thyroid removal is a surgery performed to remove a part or all the thyroid gland. This is done to treat the following conditions:

Goiter: Non-cancerous growth of the thyroid gland is called goiter. Goiter causes swelling of the neck and difficulty in breathing.
Thyroid cancer: Thyroid nodules are developed which may become cancerous. This causes swelling, difficulty in breathing, or a change in the voice.
Hyperthyroidism: The thyroid gland produces a hormone called thyroxine. The excessive production of this hormone is called hyperthyroidism.

What Are the Types of Thyroid Removal?

Depending on the condition of the thyroid or overall health of a person and other factors, thyroid removal is of the following types:

Lobectomy: This involves removing half or one complete lobe from the gland. This is recommended when there is a nodule or initial stage of cancer on one side of the thyroid.
Complete Thyroidectomy: This involves removing the complete thyroid gland in severe cases of bilateral thyroid nodules, or thyroid cancer.
Isthmectomy: Isthmus is the piece of tissue that connects the two lobes of the thyroid gland. Small tumors that develop on the isthmus require isthmectomy to be performed.

How Is the Procedure of Thyroid Removal Performed?

A set of instructions are provided to the person undergoing thyroid removal surgery. This generally involves not eating solid food or drinking any fluids for some time before the surgery.

The surgeon generally gives general anesthesia to avoid any pain or discomfort during the surgery. Throughout the surgery, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen level are maintained at standard levels.

Once the anesthesia acts, the surgeon makes a small incision on the center of the neck. The surgeon is careful to avoid the windpipe and vocal cords. A part or all of the thyroid gland is removed. The surgery generally lasts for 2 hours.

A person may have a sore throat for a few days. It is advised to seek medical attention if there is swelling, pain, or difficulty in breathing even after a few days passing the surgery.

What Are the Benefits of Thyroid Removal?

Thyroid removal is generally harmless and occurs with fewer complications and risks. Few benefits of thyroid removal are:

Achieving Euthyroidism. Euthyroid is the state of having normal thyroid gland function.
Avoiding long-term use of antithyroid medications
Renders childbearing possible
Avoid radioactive iodine ablation
Permits titration of thyroid hormone

What Are the Side Effects of Thyroid Removal?

The risks of thyroid removal may include the following:

Bleeding
Swelling
Injury to the parathyroid glands
A slight change in the voice

After the surgery, the surgeon monitors the parathyroid hormone and calcium levels. Low calcium levels may show symptoms like numbness or muscle cramps

In the case of Complete thyroidectomy, the person will require hormone replacement therapy for life long. It sometimes involves taking a synthetic version of thyroid hormone.

Who Is the Right Candidate For Thyroid Removal?

The following people are the best candidates who are appropriate for removal of the thyroid:

People allergic to antithyroid medications
People resistant to radioactive iodine
People with hyperthyroidism
People with hot nodules (nodule producing excess thyroxine)

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Kanpur

Call1860-500-2244 to book an appointment

What is the complication unique to thyroid removal?

The following complications may occur:

Parathyroid glands may not function properly
Nerves controlling the voice are affected after surgery
Low calcium levels

Will there be any scars after the thyroid removal surgery?

As the surgery requires an incision to be made in the center of your neck, there will be significant scars for few days after the surgery. The severity of the scar will depend on the length of the incision on the neck.

How many days does it take to recover from thyroid removal?

As over-the-counter pain relievers help in reducing the pain, most people resume to work or daily activities after the surgery. However, excessive physical activities have to be avoided.