Thyroidectomy

Why is this procedure done?

This surgery is done to take out all or part of your thyroid gland. Your thyroid gland is in the front of your neck. This gland helps regulate your metabolism. Surgery is done if you have: ‚

An overactive thyroid that makes too many hormones
A large thyroid gland called a goiter
Thyroid cancer
Small growths or lumps in the thyroid gland
Swelling of the thyroid gland that causes you to have trouble breathing or swallowing

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What will the results be?

Your results will be based on why you had the surgery. After surgery you may have: ‚

Less signs of:
- Fast heartbeat
- Weight loss
- Nervousness
- Feeling hot and sweating
- Feeling tired
Better swallowing or breathing
Cancer will be treated

You may need to take a drug if your entire gland was removed. This drug replaces the hormone that was made by the thyroid. ‚

What happens before the procedure?

Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚

All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
When you need to stop eating or drinking before your surgery.

Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚

Ultrasound
MRI
CT scan
A sample of tissue from your thyroid to be collected. This is called a fine needle aspiration.

What happens during the procedure?

Once you are in the operating room, you will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. ‚
The doctor makes a cut in front of your neck. Then, the doctor removes all or part of the gland. A small drain tube may be placed to drain blood and other fluids from around the site to help healing. It will be removed before you go home. The cut will be closed with stitches and covered with a bandage. This surgery may last from 2 to 4 hours. ‚

What happens after the procedure?

You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may have to stay in the hospital for 1 day. Before you go home you may have: ‚

Blood tests to check your calcium level
Radioactive treatments if you have cancer
Tests to make sure you can swallow water and food

What care is needed at home?

Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do. Talk to your doctor about:
- How to take care of your cut site. Ask about when you need to change the bandage. Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- When you may shower or bathe
- When you may go back to your normal activities
- What kind of cream, lotion, or make up is safe to use on your site when it is healed
- If you need to protect your skin in the sun
Take your drug for pain 30 minutes before meals to help make swallowing easier. Try eating only soft foods for a few days, such as jello, pudding, baby food, and applesauce. Stay away from foods that scratch the throat.
Sleep with your head raised up for a week after the surgery. This will help with swelling.
Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. This will help the pain.

What follow-up care is needed?

Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 7 to 10 days.
Your doctor may send you to a special doctor called an endocrinologist. This kind of doctor takes care of patients who need hormone replacement.

What drugs may be needed?

The doctor may order drugs to: ‚

Help with pain. You may feel pain in your neck for a few days.
Hormone to replace the work of the thyroid

What problems could happen?

Bleeding
Infection
Scarring
Injury to other glands near the thyroid
Trouble breathing
Change in voice. This is rare.
Too much thyroid hormone released. This is rare.

When do I need to call the doctor?

Signs of infection such as fever over 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) and chills
Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the cut site; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
Numbness around the lips or other parts of the body
Problems moving the lips or opening and closing your mouth
Muscle twitching
Problems with tiredness
Trouble swallowing, talking, or breathing

Where can I learn more?

American College of Endocrinology ‚
http://empoweryourhealth.org/magazine/vol3_issue3/your-doctor-recommended-thyroid-surgery-now-what ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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