Thyroid removal

Thyroid is an essential organ located in the neck region. Usually it has two lobes connected by the isthmus. It produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are substances essential for life. These are hormones which are transported to the whole body and are used by virtually every cell.
Surgeries in the thyroid region are challenging as the gland is close to laryngeal nerves and vocal cords. These structures are very sensitive to any movement in the area, which generates a risk of a loss of voice, or change of voice quality. However, neuromonitoring makes these procedures much safer for the patient.

• large goitres (nodular, diffuse, retrosternal) which press on the airways or which are unsightly (even though the thyroid function is normal),
• cancer or suspected tumours in the thyroid gland,
• increase in goitre size despite taking proper medications,
• significant complicated hyperthyroidism.

The decision on your surgery is taken during a pre-operative visit when a doctor assesses your eligibility, selects the optimum procedure and orders necessary tests.  The decision is made on the basis of test results and your general condition. Then a convenient date is selected.

• One week before the procedure you should have the following blood tests done: full blood count, electrolyte test, coagulation test, blood type, glucose, creatinine, Hbs antigen, ANTI-HCV.
• If you have other medical conditions, please consult your attending doctors and bring a certificate that there are no contraindications to the surgical procedure.
• If you are on anticoagulant treatment, you should switch to subcutaneous medications 7 days before the procedure.
• Consult with the attending doctor whether to take any medications on the day of the procedure.
• On the day of the surgery you should come to hospital on an empty stomach.

• The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.
• During the procedure we localize the recurrent laryngeal nerve with the use of neuromonitoring.
• The procedure lasts from 60 to 120 minutes.

After strumectomy (thyroid removal) you can return to normal activity, but you should follow these guidelines:

• Physical exercise should be limited for up to 2 weeks after the surgery.
• The wound should be rinsed with Octenisept solution every day.
• Sutures are removed on the 3rd day after the procedure,
• Histopathology results should be collected 14 days after the surgery.