Thyroid surgeries are procedures performed to address various thyroid gland-related conditions, ranging from benign nodules to thyroid cancer. Here are some common types of thyroid surgeries:
Thyroid Lobectomy: In cases where only a part of the thyroid gland is affected, a thyroid lobectomy may be performed. This involves the removal of one lobe of the thyroid, leaving the other intact. It is often done for benign tumors, suspicious nodules, or cases where cancer is limited to one side of the thyroid.
Total Thyroidectomy: Total thyroidectomy involves the complete removal of the thyroid gland. This surgery is typically recommended for thyroid cancer, especially when tumors are present on both sides of the thyroid or when there is a high risk of cancer recurrence.
Subtotal or Near-Total Thyroidectomy: In some cases, a portion of the thyroid may be intentionally left behind to preserve the parathyroid glands and reduce the risk of complications such as hypoparathyroidism (low calcium levels).
Lymph Node Dissection: When thyroid cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, a lymph node dissection may be performed. This involves the removal of affected lymph nodes to prevent further spread of cancer.
Reoperative Thyroid Surgery: In cases where a previous thyroid surgery was incomplete or if there is a recurrence of thyroid disease, reoperative thyroid surgery may be necessary to address the remaining or recurrent thyroid tissue.
Thyroidectomy for Hyperthyroidism: For individuals with hyperthyroidism due to conditions like Graves' disease or toxic multinodular goiter, a thyroidectomy may be performed to remove the overactive thyroid tissue and restore normal thyroid function.
Thyroid Nodule Excision: In cases of benign thyroid nodules causing symptoms or concerns, a surgeon may perform a nodule excision to remove the specific nodule while leaving the rest of the thyroid intact.
Thyroid surgeries are typically conducted under general anesthesia, and the choice of procedure depends on the specific diagnosis and extent of thyroid disease. Advances in surgical techniques, including minimally invasive approaches such as robotic or endoscopic thyroidectomy, aim to reduce scarring, pain, and recovery time.
