What is Hemithyroidectomy?
A surgical procedure that involves removing one lobe of the thyroid gland is known as a hemithyroidectomy. If the right lobe is removed, it’s called a right hemithyroidectomy; if the left lobe is removed, it’s a left hemithyroidectomy.
Indications of Hemithyroidectomy
Hemithyroidectomy indications typically include benign nodules, thyroid cysts, and certain types of thyroid cancer. By removing only one lobe, this surgery aims to address thyroid issues while preserving partial thyroid function and reducing the need for lifelong hormone replacement therapy.
Hemithyroidectomy Techniques
- Traditional Open Surgery: A larger incision is made to access the thyroid gland and remove one of the lobes.
- Minimally Invasive Hemithyroidectomy: Using smaller incisions and specialized tools, this technique offers reduced hemithyroidectomy surgery recovery time and less postoperative discomfort.
- Subtotal Hemithyroidectomy: Removal of a significant portion, but not the entire half, of the thyroid gland, leaving some thyroid tissue intact on one side.
- Near-total Hemithyroidectomy: Removal of nearly the entire half of the thyroid, leaving only a small remnant to preserve some thyroid function.
- Total Hemithyroidectomy with Contralateral Lobectomy: Complete removal of one thyroid lobe, along with a portion of the other lobe, commonly used in cases of thyroid cancer.
- Partial Hemithyroidectomy: Removal of a smaller portion of one thyroid lobe, often used for biopsy or in cases where more conservative surgery is preferred.
| Procedure Name | Hemithyroidectomy |
|---|---|
| Type of Surgery | Moderate to Major |
| Type of Anesthesia | General |
| Procedure Duration | 45 minutes to 2 hours |
| Recovery Duration | Several weeks to a few months |
Hemithyroidectomy: Pre-Op & Post-Op Care
Preparation for Thyroid Removal
Before surgery, patients undergo comprehensive evaluations, including ultrasound, blood tests, and potentially a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) to confirm the diagnosis and plan the surgery.
During the Hemithyroidectomy
The surgeon removes one lobe of the thyroid gland through a small incision, taking care to preserve vital structures like the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands.
Duration
The duration of hemithyroidectomy surgery typically ranges from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on complexity and technique.
Hemithyroidectomy recovery
After surgery, patients are monitored closely for a few hours before being discharged or moved to a hospital room for overnight observation. Post-operative instructions cover pain management, wound care, and activity restrictions.
Follow-up Care
Patients return for follow-up appointments to monitor healing, check thyroid function, and ensure no complications like vocal cord paralysis or low calcium levels. A follow-up plan might include blood tests to assess thyroid function and, if necessary, hormone replacement therapy.
Benefits of Hemithyroidectomy at Yashoda Hospitals
- Resolves thyroid nodules or cancer in one lobe.
- Reduces risk of recurrence for benign conditions.
- Maintains partial thyroid function even after treatment.
- Decreases the need for lifelong thyroid hormone replacement.
- Minimally invasive techniques lead to shorter hemithyroidectomy recovery.
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