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Procedures

What is thyroid surgery?

Medcasts editorial team

Thyroid surgery (thyroidectomy) removes part or all of the thyroid gland. Common indications: thyroid cancer, large goiter causing compression, thyrotoxicosis not controllable with medication, suspicious nodules.

Types:

• Hemithyroidectomy: half the thyroid (lobe + isthmus). • Total thyroidectomy: entire thyroid. • With or without lymph node dissection (depends on cancer extent).

Recovery: 1–2 day hospital stay; activity restrictions 1–2 weeks; sutures out 7–10 days; voice changes possible (recurrent laryngeal nerve risk 1–3% at experienced centers, higher elsewhere).

Lifelong thyroid hormone replacement after total thyroidectomy. Lab monitoring (TSH, sometimes free T4) every 6–12 months.

For international travel: surgeon experience matters significantly. Programs doing 100+ thyroid cases/year have lower complication rates than smaller programs.

This answer is general information, not medical advice. Your own doctor should confirm what applies to your case.

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