What are all the preoperative preparations required prior to surgery?
Routine Pre-operative investigations including thyroid function tests and radiological imaging tests will be done. Your vocal cords will be examined by another doctor in the hospital by passing a small nasal endoscope through your nose. This is a very quick and safe test done usually lasting less than a minute without much discomfort. An anaesthesiologist will evaluate you and give you the information what you need to know regarding the type of anaesthesia You will be asked to be on empty stomach for 6 hours prior to surgery
What are the precautions I need to take prior to surgery?
Inform your surgeon and anaesthesiologist about any medications you are on including Thyroid medications. They may need to be continued even on the day of surgery with sips of water. If you are on any blood-thinning or antiplatelet medications like aspirin, clopidogrel, inform your surgeon – these may need be stopped 3-5 days prior to surgery.
Is there any Key Hole surgery for thyroid as with the abdomen?
Yes! Key Hole surgery with a Scarless neck is an option in thyroid surgeries.
- The feasibility of such surgery depends on the size of the thyroid gland.
- Your surgeon will assess clinically and the ultrasound scan and will give you an option for a keyhole surgery or what is called an “Endoscopic Thyroidectomy”.
Will I Get a bad scar in my neck?
Conventional Thyroid surgeries involve a cut in front of your neck. However as in any surgery involving the face and neck, scars will be usually only mildly noticeable
What is lymph node surgery and when is it needed?
Lymph nodes are small bean shaped structures present at various locations in the body, which are helpful in the body’s immune system by filtering toxic substances that are harmful.
In patients who have a diagnosis of thyroid cancer, the lymph nodes around the thyroid gland may be involved and need to be removed as part of the cancer operation – This procedure is called as Central Lymph Node Dissection.
What are the types of thyroidectomies?
Depending on the nature of thyroid disease or the location of the thyroid lesion, your surgeon may suggest one of the following surgeries: Hemithyroidectomy: Removal of one lobe of the thyroid and the isthmus Total Thyroidectomy: Removal of the entire thyroid gland (both lobes of the thyroid and the isthmus) leaving no tissue behind. Near Total Thyroidectomy: Occasionally, for surgical reasons, your surgeon may leave a very tiny amount of thyroid tissue behind. It is done to protect important structures that run very close to the thyroid gland in the neck.
Why do I need to undergo Thyroid surgery?
It is usually performed for the following reasons.
Goiter: Any increase in the size of a thyroid gland, from any cause, is called a goiter Increase in the size of the gland may lead to compression on the windpipe (trachea) or the food pipe (esophagus). This may warrant surgery. Even in the absence of pressure effects, a goiter can cause discomfort or cosmetically unacceptable appearance. In such a scenario you should discuss the risk and benefit of surgery with your surgeon
Development of a lump (nodule) in the gland: Nodules or lumps may develop in the thyroid gland which may be single (solitary nodule) or multiple (multi-nodular goitre) The elderly are more prone to develop nodules. Nodules are seen in 50% of women and 30% of men after the age of 50. These nodules are assessed by clinical examination, ultrasound examination, needle biopsy or all three tests as your surgeon suggests Sometimes these nodules may be cancerous and your surgeon will advice surgery involving removal of the thyroid gland
Over-active thyroid gland
Over-active Thyroid gland secreting excessive thyroxine may sometimes require thyroidectomy Eg. Graves Disease or toxic adenoma.
What is the Thyroid gland and what is its function?
The Thyroid gland is Butterfly shaped organ located in the neck sitting on your windpipe just below the adam’s apple. It has two halves (left and right lobes) connected by a central bridge (isthmus).
The thyroid gland is responsible for secreting a hormone called “Thyroxine” which controls the body’s metabolism, which is essential for maintaining normal health.
Can I eat and drink as normal after the surgery?
Removal of the GallBladder does not alter your ability to digest food. However, you may find small and frequent are meals easier to digest in the first few days after your surgery. Increase your intake of foods at your own pace. While you do not need to keep to a specific diet after your gallbladder removal, some people find that they do not tolerate fatty foods in the initial few weeks.
When can I bathe or shower?
The wound dressings are removed at the time of discharge in most cases. In most situations, you can have a bath or shower 48hrs after the surgery, unless specifically instructed otherwise.
