What is a Thyroidectomy?
The reputations of many fine clinics in the United States, such as the Mayo, Cleveland, and Lahey Clinics, were built, in part, upon successful thyroid surgery in the first half of the twentieth century. However, starting in the 1930s and 1940s, other treatments diminished the need for thyroid surgery (thyroidectomy). For example, the iodination of table salt, pioneered by Dr. David Marine, virtually eliminated endemic goiter in the United States. Furthermore, once antithyroid drugs and radioactive iodine became widely used in the 1960s and 1970s, surgery on patients with Graves’ disease was markedly reduced. In addition, fine needle aspiration biopsies have eliminated the need for surgery on many patients with thyroid nodules. Since thyroid surgery is performed relatively infrequently today, few surgeons have accumulated extensive experience doing thyroidecÂtomies; consequently, the choice of a surgeon must be considered carefully. Many patients base their decision upon the opinion of
A thyroidectomy is a removal of part or all of the thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the neck. When the surgery is total, the entire gland is removed. However sometimes the surgery removes only part of the gland, and may be called partial removal or a thyroid lobectomy. Advantages to leaving some thyroid gland present include that the gland can continue to produce hormones needed by the body and may reduce risk of hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormones). There are a number of reasons why people might require a partial or total thyroidectomy. These can include overactive thyroid, thyroid cancer, and enlargement of the thyroid (sometimes called goiter). Occasionally removal is not done surgically but instead radioactive substances are used to shrink the gland. Still, some people may prefer the surgery, especially if they want to avoid these substances and this could include women who are currently pregnant or who would like to get pregnant soon after thyroidectomy an
A thyroidectomy is the procedure performed to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. Located in the front of the neck, the thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland, consisting of two lobes connected by an isthmus. The gland is responsible for regulating metabolism by secreting hormones. When diseases affect the thyroid, its size or activity may become abnormal. These diseases include thyroid cancer, goiter, and hyperthyroidism. Thyroid problems can often be treated medically, but in some cases, the thyroid needs to be removed. The extent of thyroid removal depends on the patient’s condition.
