Thyroidectomy
I have a lump on my neck and I have the feeling of tightness in my throat. I frequently cough and my voice is hoarse. I was diagnosed to have goiter and my doctor advised me to go for a thyroidectomy.
What is a thyroidectomy? A thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all (total) or part of the thyroid gland. What is the thyroid gland? The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the neck located in front of the wind-pipe. It produces
hormones that regulate how the body uses and stores energy. A normal thyroid gland cannot be seen or felt. An enlargement of the thyroid gland is known as “goiter”. Very close to the thyroid gland are four tiny glands called parathyroid glands, each not much bigger than a grain of rice. These produce a hormone that controls the level of calcium in your body. The parathyroid glands are normally left in place when the thyroid gland is operated on but their function may be affected by the operation. How much of my thyroid gland needs to be removed? The surgeons will advise on the extent of surgery (hemi or total thyroidectomy) based on its indication. A more extensive neck lymph node dissection may also be required for more complex thyroid cancer cases. What are the different types of thyroidectomy techniques? Conventional open thyroidectomy involves making a 4 to 6cm-wide skin crease neck incision to remove the abnormal thyroid gland depending on its size. It is the recommended option