Thyroidectomy

A thyroidectomy removes part or all of the thyroid gland. It may be performed for thyroid cancer, a suspicious or enlarging nodule, compressive goiter, or hyperthyroidism that cannot be managed appropriately with medication or radioactive iodine. The incision is in the lower anterior neck, near structures that matter immediately after surgery: the trachea, recurrent laryngeal nerves, and parathyroid glands. This anatomy explains the major postoperative priorities: - A hematoma or edema can compress the airway. - Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury can change the voice or impair vocal-cord movement. - Parathyroid injury, removal, or loss of blood supply can reduce parathyroid hormone (PTH) production and cause hypocalcemia. After a total thyroidectomy, the patient will require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. A partial thyroidectomy may leave enough functioning tissue to avoid replacement, but thyroid function still requires follow-up.