Atrium Health Navicent Surgery Macon

Thyroid Surgeries (Biopsy, Partial, Total)

Parathyroidectomy

This procedure is done to remove the parathyroid glands or parathyroid tumors. The parathyroid glands sit right behind your thyroid in your neck. These glands help control your calcium levels.

Before Surgery

  • Your doctor will review allergies and all of your medications including over the counter medications and any herbs or vitamins
  • You will not be allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure.
  • You will need to have tests done to show exactly where your parathyroid glands are such as a CT scan or ultrasound.

During Surgery

  • General anesthesia will be used and one of 3 types of surgery will be done.
  • Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy- You will receive a shot of nuclear medicine to help highlight the diseased glands. A small cut will then be made on one side of your neck and the gland will be removed through it.
  • Video-assisted Parathyroidectomy- Two small cuts will be made in your neck, one for the surgical instruments and one for the camera. The glands will then be removed through one of the incisions.
  • Endoscopic Parathyroidectomy- Two to three small cuts will be made on your neck and then one cut above your collarbone. This procedure helps reduce visible scarring and the glands are removed through one of the incisions.

After Surgery

  • You will be taken to recovery for a short time to wake up; and then you will be allowed to go home. It will take 1-3 weeks to fully heal.
  • Numbness or tingling around the mouth may happen after surgery due to low calcium. You can take calcium supplements every 4 hours until this subsides.

Risks of this Procedure

  • Infection
  • Injury to the thyroid gland
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Injury to the nerves in your vocal cord

Thyroidectomy

Thyroid surgery is used to treat many different problems such as thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules, and hyperthyroidism. All or part of your thyroid may be removed depending on why you are having surgery.

Before Surgery

  • Your doctor will review all allergies and medications including over the counter medications and any vitamins and herbs.
  • You will not be allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.
  • Your doctor will also let you know exactly what type of procedure you will be having done.

During Surgery

  • General anesthesia will be used and an incision will be made to expose the thyroid gland. One of 3 types of procedures will be done
  • Total Thyroidectomy- The entire thyroid gland and lymph nodes surrounding the gland will be removed
  • Thyroid Lobectomy- Only one lobe of the thyroid is removed
  • Subtotal Thyroidectomy- One complete lobe, part of the other lobe and the isthmus (the narrow band of tissue that connects the two lobes) will be removed.

After Surgery

  • You should be able to leave the hospital after 1-2 days.
  • Upon discharge you will be given instructions on wound care, medications you may need to take, and also any follow up appointments.

Risks of this Procedure

  • Hoarseness/Change of voice
  • Nerve Damage
  • Low Calcium Levels
  • Infection at surgical site