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Thyroid gland removal - Overview

Alternative Names

Total thyroidectomy; Partial thyroidectomy; Thyroidectomy

Definition of Thyroid gland removal:

Thyroid gland removal is surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.

Total thyroidectomy removes the entire gland.
Subtotal or partial thyroidectomy removes part of the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and plays a major role in controlling the body's metabolism.

Description:

Thyroidectomy is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). Sometimes it is done with regional anesthesia (awake, but pain-free). The surgeon makes a cut in the neck and locates the gland. All or part of the thyroid gland, depending on the particular procedure, is removed.

Indications:

Thyroidectomy may be recommended for the following:

Cancer of the thyroid
Hashimoto's disease (a type of hypothyroidism)
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) with enlargement of the gland
Thyroid swelling (nontoxic goiter)
Thyrotoxicosis

The procedure may also be done if a patient with an overactive thyroid does not want to have radioactive iodine treatment and cannot be treated with medications.

Child thyroid anatomy

Thyroidectomy - series

Reviewed last on: 7/22/2008
Shimul A. Shah, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Hanks JB, Salomone LJ. Thyroid. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2008:chap 36.

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