Health Library

Thyroidectomy - series

Normal anatomy

The thyroid gland, a part of the endocrine (hormone) system, plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism.

Indications

Thyroidectomy may be recommended for:

• Increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism; thyrotoxicosis)
• Decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism) with enlargement (hypertrophy) of the gland
• Primary cancer of the thyroid
• Enlargement of the thyroid (nontoxic goiter)

Incision

While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), an incision is made in the front of the neck.

Procedure

The thyroid gland is removed. Either one lobe of the thyroid gland, or the entire gland, is removed, depending on the disease process being treated.

Aftercare

The results of thyroid surgery are usually excellent. Monitoring of thyroid hormone production may continue for some months after the operation. Some patients may need to take supplemental thyroid hormone after thyroidectomy.

Review Date: 2/28/2022  

Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2022 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.