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Common thyroid surgery methods
Currently, there are many common thyroid surgery methods, suitable for different medical conditions.
| Method | Description | Indication |
| Lobectomy (Partial Thyroidectomy) | This surgery removes only a part of the thyroid gland, usually when there is a thyroid nodule or when one side of the thyroid is enlarged. |
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| Total Thyroidectomy | This surgery removes the entire thyroid gland, typically in cases of thyroid cancer or large goiters that cause compression or are difficult to treat. |
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| Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy | This surgery is performed through the mouth, leaving no visible scars on the neck. It is a modern technique using endoscopic technology to remove the thyroid. |
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| Transaxillary endoscopic thyroid surgery | It is a minimally invasive surgical technique, performed through a small incision in the armpit and/or breast, instead of an incision in the neck like traditional surgical methods. |
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In cases where the tumor is not too complicated, the doctor will prescribe endoscopic thyroid surgery through the mouth instead of traditional open surgery, because:
- High aesthetic outcome: Since the surgery is performed through the mouth, there are no visible scars on the neck, making it an ideal option for patients concerned with aesthetics, particularly those who do not want neck scarring.
- Less pain and faster recovery: The minimally invasive nature of the procedure leads to less pain and a quicker recovery time compared to traditional neck surgery.
- Reduced risk of infection and complications: Because the procedure is less invasive, there is a lower risk of infection or damage to nearby structures.
- No scarring on the neck: This is a key benefit for patients who are worried about visible scars and prefer a cosmetic outcome.
When is Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery Performed?
Endoscopic thyroid surgery is a surgical method that involves removing part or all of the thyroid gland using endoscopic techniques to treat thyroid-related conditions. Patients are typically indicated for thyroid endoscopic surgery when they have one of the following conditions:
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the front of the neck. The thyroid plays a crucial role in producing hormones that regulate metabolism, body temperature, and various physiological functions. Thyroid cancer develops when the cells in the thyroid grow abnormally and uncontrollably, forming a malignant tumor.
Thyroid cancer is classified into four main types:
- Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
- Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma
- Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma
- Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Symptoms of thyroid cancer:
- A lump or nodule in the neck.
- Difficulty swallowing, breathing, or a persistent sensation of something stuck in the throat.
- Hoarseness or unexplained changes in the voice.
- Pain in the neck area that may radiate to the ears.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis is a condition where the thyroid gland, a small endocrine gland located at the front of the neck, becomes inflamed. Inflammation of the thyroid can disrupt hormone production, leading to disorders such as:
- Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels): Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and dry skin.
- Hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone levels): Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, weight loss, nervousness, and anxiety.
Common symptoms of thyroiditis:
- Pain or swelling in the neck.
- Fatigue or weakness.
- Unexplained weight changes.
- Dry skin and hair loss.
- Irregular heartbeats (too fast or too slow).
- Anxiety, irritability, or depression.
Graves’ Disease
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, in which the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormones (thyroxine – T4 and triiodothyronine – T3). It is one of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism.
In Graves’ disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid, stimulating it to overproduce hormones. This condition affects various organs in the body and can lead to serious complications if not treated.
Graves’ disease can manifest through a variety of symptoms, including:
- Rapid heartbeat, palpitations.
- Tremors, anxiety, difficulty sleeping.
- Weight loss despite normal or increased appetite.
- Excessive sweating, intolerance to heat.
- Frequent urination, diarrhea.
- Red, irritated eyes, light sensitivity.
- Bulging eyes, difficulty fully closing the eyelids.
- Vision impairment in severe cases.
- Swelling of the thyroid gland, forming a goiter.
- Fatigue, muscle weakness.
- High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat.
- Thickening of the skin on the shins or top of the feet
Complications after endoscopic thyroid surgery
Although endoscopic thyroid surgery is minimally invasive and has many advantages, like any surgery, it can lead to certain complications. Below are the potential complications that can occur after endoscopic thyroid surgery:
- Infection: Although endoscopic surgery is less invasive, infection can still occur at the incision site, especially if surgical care is not followed properly.
- Bleeding: Bleeding may occur due to injury to blood vessels during the surgery.
- Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve: The recurrent laryngeal nerve can be damaged during surgery, leading to voice changes or difficulty speaking.
- Hypocalcemia (Low blood calcium): During surgery, the parathyroid glands (which regulate calcium levels) may be affected or injured.
- Poor scarring or keloid formation: Although endoscopic surgery results in minimal scarring, some patients may develop keloids or scars that do not heal well.
- Injury to surrounding structures: While endoscopic surgery minimizes invasiveness, there is still a risk of injury to nearby structures like the esophagus, trachea, or blood vessels.
- Foreign body aspiration: During surgery, small tissue fragments or materials may accidentally fall into the trachea or esophagus.
- Soft tissue inflammation: Soft tissue inflammation can occur in the area surrounding the thyroid after surgery.
To avoid complications, patients need to strictly follow surgical care instructions, including monitoring the incision site, taking medications as prescribed, and attending follow-up appointments. Any unusual signs such as fever, severe pain, or voice changes should be promptly addressed to ensure timely intervention if needed.
In summary, endoscopic thyroid surgery includes many different methods from traditional to endoscopic methods. Each method is indicated for different pathological cases. However, after surgery, patients need to pay attention to care to avoid the above complications.
