The need for thyroid surgery depends on several factors and usually arises when conservative treatments fail to produce adequate results or when the nature of the disease warrants surgical intervention.
Thyroid surgeries
In what kind of cases is thyroid surgery necessary?
- Malignant or suspected tumor – If a biopsy of a nodule(s) in the thyroid gland confirms a malignant tumor (such as papillary, follicular, medullary, or anaplastic carcinoma), surgery is the primary treatment. The goal is to completely remove the cancerous tissue, which often means removing the entire thyroid gland, occasionally sparing the surrounding lymph nodes in the neck.
- Thyroid enlargement (goiter) – Enlargement of the thyroid gland, especially if it is multinodular, is a common reason for surgery. The enlarged gland can cause difficulty swallowing and breathing, hoarseness, and a feeling of tightness in the neck. Goiter can also become visible above a certain size. Surgery can immediately eliminate these unpleasant symptoms.
- Hyperthyroidism – If the patient does not respond adequately to medication or radioiodine treatment, surgery may be indicated to reduce hormone levels.
- Hormone-producing nodules – Surgery may be necessary if the hyperthyroidism is caused by a so-called toxic nodule. This is a hormone-producing nodule that produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone unnecessarily.
In all cases, a detailed examination is important, which includes surgical and, if necessary, endocrinological consultation, laboratory tests, ultrasound, isotope examination and, if necessary, cytological sampling.
How is thyroid surgery performed?
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure is performed through a small, curved incision in the neck. During the surgery (lobectomy of the thyroid gland), one or both lobes of the thyroid gland are completely partially removed. Leaving a small part of the thyroid gland (i.e., a partial thyroidectomy) may result in the remaining thyroid tissue being able to continue to produce the necessary hormone levels. Rarely, only a small area of the thyroid gland is removed (enucleation). In cases of malignant lesions, the lymph nodes in the neck may also be removed.
At the end of the surgery, a drainage tube is inserted before the wound is closed, which is removed the next day. The wound is closed with absorbable sutures.
What happens after thyroid surgery?
Swallowing is possible after surgery, but on the day of surgery the patient should mainly consume only liquids. The wound should not be exposed to water for 3-5 days. The surgical drainage tube is usually removed on the first or second day after surgery, depending on its yield. A check-up is recommended on the 7th-10th day, after which an endocrinological consultation may be necessary to check or recalibrate hormone levels.
Thyroid surgery fees
You can find our current fees under our prices menu.
WHY CHOOSE DR. ROSE PRIVATE HOSPITAL?
- Highly trained specialists, modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. The goal of our surgical care is to provide comprehensive care to patients and the highest level of treatment.
- Personalized care. At our specialist appointments, we create an individual treatment plan for each of our patients, considering individual needs and conditions.
- Empathetic, people-centered approach. Our specialists always keep the comfort and safety of our patients in mind.
- Premium inpatient department. Available to our patients are 3 operating theaters and 24 patient rooms with 33 beds to meet all needs. The highest professional standards together with an exclusive environment that aids recovery in safety and with complete peace of mind.
- Fast and predictable appointments. We provide an appointment for the necessary intervention within 1-2 weeks of the first specialist consultation.
If you have any complaints related to thyroid disease, please contact the surgeons of Dr. Rose Private Hospital with confidence.