A thyroidectomy is a procedure under general anaesthesia to remove part or all of your thyroid gland.
At an initial consultation, we discuss the technical aspects of the operation and the postoperative course. During this consultation your case will be briefly reviewed and normal mobility of the vocal cords will be verified by means of a laryngotracheoscopy. Then the operation date will be set, and you will be referred to the preoperative consultation.
The procedure is performed under full anaesthesia and lasts more than two hours. The procedure will never be rushed. The thyroid gland is removed through a horizontal incision low in the neck. This incision can usually be made in a skin fold and the length of the incision varies from six to twelve centimetres - determined by the size of the thyroid gland to be removed (longer for larger thyroid glands). The thyroid gland is removed from its lodge using a device that cuts and coagulates at the same time: the Ultracision. This device - for single use - is fully reimbursed by the health insurance fund. Attached to the thyroid are the right and left vocal cord nerves and four parathyroid glands. The function of these structures can not always be preserved, which results in specific postoperative symptoms: hoarseness (in less than 0.5%) or tingling in fingers and around the mouth (in about 4%). This last complication is reversed by means of an activated vitamin D that has to be taken for life. At the end of the procedure, the thyroid lodge is drained and the neck is wrapped in a bandage.
On day one after surgery, almost all patients experience mild hoarseness, which is temporary in nature. We take a blood sample to check whether parathyroid function is preserved after the operation. If this is not the case, the associated symptoms are anticipated by the peroral administration of vitamin D. Also on day one, we start administering thyroid hormone, which has to be taken for life, to compensate for the effects of the removed thyroid gland. You are ready for discharge when the wound drainage is less than 20 cc per day; this is usually the case after two to three nights.
During the period after the hospital stay, we recommend relative rest for 2 to 3 weeks. Physical activity in particular (sports, cleaning, etc.) is advised against. One week after the operation, the sutures are removed by your doctor. Daily home care is not necessary.
After six weeks, a blood test at your GP is required to check the level of your thyroid hormones and, if necessary, adjust your medication on the advice of the endocrinologist.
For an optimal aesthetic result of the incision, we recommend avoiding exposure to direct sunlight for at least six months. Applying a moisturising ointment daily is also beneficial for the scar.
We schedule a consultation two weeks after surgery to check the wound and voice.
