The treatment of goiter is mainly dependent upon the size of the abnormally enlarged thyroid gland, the signs your body might display, the intensity of the symptoms you might be experiencing and the underlying cause behind the condition. Your doctor may recommend surgery if the condition is severe and if the goiter is causing you much discomfort. Other signs that call for surgical treatment include difficulty in breathing and swallowing, nodular goiter resulting in hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid gland removal or thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that your doctor may employ to remove part or all of the thyroid gland depending upon your symptoms and the condition. The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly and lies over the windpipe (the tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi) and is placed below the larynx.
Total thyroid gland removal or thyroidectomy is when the entire gland is removed. Subtotal or partial removal of the thyroid gland is when only a portion of the thyroid gland is removed. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system which consists of several glands. These glands produce different endocrine secretions which help to control the body’s metabolic activity.
The surgical procedure with be performed through a surgical incision in the neck. The incision is usually 3-inches to 4-inch deep in the neck in order to locate the thyroid gland. Once again depending upon your surgeon's understanding of the case, part or the entire gland may be removed.
It is likely that your surgeon might position a tiny flexible tube into the incision in order to get rid of the blood and fluids that may accumulate.
In normal cases, surgery takes approximately 4 hours to take out the entire thyroid gland and much less time to remove a portion of it. Most surgeons operating on thyroidectomy make use of an endoscope to remove the thyroid gland. Following the surgery it is possible that you might develop a feeble voice or have some difficulty in swallowing watery liquids.
In very rare cases, there might be difficulty while breathing. But in most cases, all post-operative symptoms disappear after a few weeks after surgery. Most patients are discharged the day after surgery and in some cases patients are requested to spend up to three days in the hospital. Once you are able to start swallowing water and other thin liquids, you might be discharged from the hospital.
answered by G M