How
should I be evaluated prior to the operation?
All patients considering thyroid surgery should be evaluated preoperatively
with a thorough and comprehensive medical history and physical exam,
including cardiopulmonary (heart) evaluation. Any patients who has
had any change in voice or who have had a previous neck operation
should have their vocal cord function evaluated preoperatively.
How do I select a surgeon?
In general, thyroid surgery is best performed by a surgeon who has
received special training and who performs thyroid surgery on a
regular basis, since the complication rate of thyroid operations
is lower when the operation is done by a surgeon who does a considerable
number of thyroid operations each year.
What are the risks of the operation?
Possible risks of thyroid surgery include: 1) bleeding that can
cause acute breathing difficulty, 2) injury to the recurrent laryngeal
nerve that can cause permanent hoarseness, and 3) damage to the
parathyroid glands that control calcium levels in the body, causing
hypoparathyroidism. The overall risk of complications should be
<2% with an experienced surgeon.
How much of my thyroid gland needs
to be removed?
Patients should discuss with the surgeon what operation on the thyroid
is to be performed and how much of the thyroid should be removed.
What can I expect once I decide
to proceed with surgery?
You will be scheduled for your pre-op evaluation and will
meet with the anesthesiologist (the person who will put you to sleep
during the surgery). You should have nothing to eat or drink after
midnight on the day before surgery and should leave valuables and
jewelry at home. The surgery usually takes 2-2½ hours, after
which time you will slowly wake up in the recovery room. There may
be a surgical drain in the incision in your neck (which will be
removed the morning after the surgery) and your throat may be sore
because of the breathing tube placed during the operation. Once
you are fully awake, you will be moved to a bed in a hospital room
where you will be able to eat and drink as you wish. Most patients
having thyroid operations are hospitalized for about 24 hours and
can be discharged on the morning following the operation. Normal
activity can begin on the first postoperative day. Vigorous sports,
such as swimming, and activities that include heavy lifting should
be delayed for at least ten days.
Will I be normal after surgery?
Yes. Once you have recovered from the effects of thyroid surgery,
you usually will be able to doing anything that you could do prior
to surgery. Many patients become hypothyroid following thyroid surgery,
requiring treatment with thyroid hormone (see Hypothyroidism
brochure).
|