Thyroid is a very small gland with the shape of a butterfly. The gland is located to the lower-front part of the neck and right beneath the voice box. The function of the thyroid is basically to produce hormone which is carried by the blood to different tissues throughout the body and to facilitate in the regulation of metabolism.
This means that the glands help food be turned into energy. The glands are so important that the proper functioning of the organs depend on them along with the important task of body heat conserving. Thyroid glands are thus pretty important. But these glands can be a nuisance. Our present write-up is to explain to our viewers when and why Thyroid Surgery becomes a necessity.
At times, these hormone productive glands can at times produce abnormal amount of hormones, leading to health hazards such as swelling or development of cysts or nodule-like structures. These may require surgical means to eradicate the glands themselves. The operation requires a general anesthesia and the patient is operated during the anesthesia has been used.
Why Have The Thyroid Surgery Done?
We have already stated that there are certain abnormal situations when surgery becomes a necessity. The following, are why one needs the surgery:
- The first is the syndrome of hyperthyroidism, which is the result of what is called Graves’ Disease. Due to this disease, the patients’ bodies misidentify the thyroid glands to be an exterior body resulting in sending antibodies that attack these glands, thereby inflaming the patients’ thyroid glands and finally resulting into excessive production of hormones. This is where the surgery is very important.
- Secondly, goiter is another reason why one might require the surgery. In this case patients suffering from the above disease can have their throats blocked and then can also adversely affect eating, breathing as well as speaking.
- Cancer in the Thyroid is another good reason why surgery is a necessity. In this cedes most if not all of the thyroid must be removed. This could probably place the patient to safer side.
Types of Surgery
The surgery may be classified into three different types namely, Lobectomy, Subtotal Thyroidectomy and Total Thyroidectomy.
Lobectomy: In case there has been a nodule or an inflammation or swelling which has adversely affected half of the thyroid, the doctor will have to operate at least one of the two lobes. The remnant portion might retain some of its capability or maybe even all of it.
Subtotal Thyroidectomy: This is used in case of the Graves ’ disease. In this operation, the surgeon, having operated the glands leaves behind only a small thyroid remnant intact kin order the thyroid function is preserved. The surgery is capable of preventing an ever-enduring thyroid hormone supplementation treatment.
Total Thyroidectomy: If a patient suffers from cancer in the thyroid or if he/ she are subject to swelling or inflammation. In this thyroidectomy, the surgeon has to completely eliminate the thyroid glands and tissue completely.
Things to Know Prior To The Thyroid Surgery
Before the surgery is performed, the patient requires certain tests to be performed on him/ her. That is where laboratory and imaging tests (X-rays etc.) have to be performed. These tests help the doctors to assess the doctors if the patient(s) being examined has cancer or not.
Accordingly, instructions are given concerning what the patient(s) either eat or drink or what medications might be required before the surgery.
During the Operation
It is usually customary that the patient is given anesthesia during the surgery, inducing him/her to sleep. One or cuts are made on the neck; depending on the type of operation is used.
Final Words
If any of our readers here, after reading this, is seriously considering a Thyroid Surgery, he/she should consider doing it from the best medical healthcare services in Texas a well-known hospital such as Southlake General Surgery.