Total thyroidectomy

Total Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the complete removal of the thyroid gland. This procedure is typically performed to treat conditions such as thyroid cancer, Graves' disease, and goiter.

Indications

The primary indication for a total thyroidectomy is the presence of thyroid cancer. Other indications may include a large goiter that is causing compressive symptoms, Graves' disease that is not responsive to medical management, and multinodular goiter with suspicious nodules.

Procedure

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision in the neck and carefully removes the entire thyroid gland, taking care to avoid damage to the surrounding structures, including the parathyroid glands and the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Risks and Complications

As with any surgical procedure, total thyroidectomy carries some risks. These may include bleeding, infection, damage to the parathyroid glands resulting in hypoparathyroidism, and damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve which can lead to vocal cord paralysis.

Postoperative Care

Following a total thyroidectomy, patients will need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their lives. Regular follow-up appointments will be necessary to monitor the patient's thyroid hormone levels and adjust the dosage of medication as necessary.

See Also

• Thyroidectomy
• Thyroid cancer
• Graves' disease
• Goiter