Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck that produces hormones controlling metabolism. It may be advised for suspicious nodules, large goitres causing pressure symptoms, overactive thyroid disease not controlled with medicines or confirmed thyroid cancer.

Before surgery, patients at Apex are evaluated with examination, thyroid blood tests and neck ultrasound. A fine needle sample may be taken from a nodule, and the surgeon sometimes advises a check of the vocal cords. Thyroid hormone levels are brought under control before an operation in overactive thyroid disease.

The operation is done under general anaesthesia through a small incision in the lower neck, and the surgeon takes care to protect the nerves of the voice and the parathyroid glands, which control calcium. Some patients stay in hospital for a day or two. After a total thyroidectomy, lifelong thyroid hormone tablets are needed, and blood levels are checked at regular intervals.

How the Procedure Can Help

Surgery relieves pressure symptoms, provides a clear tissue diagnosis, treats thyroid cancer and can control overactive thyroid disease when other treatments are not suitable.

Risks and Considerations

Risks include bleeding, infection, temporary or lasting hoarseness from nerve injury and low calcium levels from parathyroid injury. Tingling around the mouth or in the fingers, breathing difficulty, rapid neck swelling or a change in voice after surgery needs urgent medical attention.