Thyroid Surgery
Common Thyroid Concerns
Many illnesses may present as a result of abnormalities of the thyroid gland. By far and away, the most common problem with the thyroid gland is the inability of the gland to make enough thyroid hormone, resulting in hypothyroidism. People often experience issues with metabolism, heat or cold tolerance, weight fluctuations, or weight gain. In this situation, people require supplementation of thyroid hormone in the form of a pill.
Treatment for Thyroid Concerns
We perform surgery on the thyroid gland for benign or malignant reasons. Most commonly for thyroid nodules that are suspicious for or confirmed as thyroid cancer. This condition requires removal of a portion or all of the thyroid gland. Thyroid Pathology includes:
- Benign
- Symptomatic thyroid nodules & goiters
- Substernal thyroid goiters (thyroid gland grows into the chest)
- Graves’ disease
- Toxic multinodular goiters
- Malignant
- Nondiagnostic or indeterminate thyroid nodules
- Differentiated thyroid cancers (papillary, follicular, medullary)
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer
Thyroid surgery requires either partial or total thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid). An incision is made within the central neck. Once dissection is carried down through the muscle layers, the thyroid gland is removed from its vascular and tissue attachments. It is also removed from the trachea. During thyroidectomy, it is essential to identify the parathyroid glands and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. These are important structures involved in controlling blood calcium levels and supplying energy to the vocal cords, respectively. Temporary or permanent injury to these structures could result in low blood calcium levels or hoarseness of voice.
