How long thyroid removal surgery

If the parathyroids do not function properly, calcium or vitamin D may be needed on a permanent basis.

Both of these possible complications are directly related to the operative experience of the surgeon, and these statistics are based on our own results. Although the risk of these complications cannot be eliminated entirely, they can certainly be minimized in the hands of an experienced thyroid surgeon.

As with any operation, there is a risk of bleeding. Because of this rare chance of bleeding, we keep you in the hospital for 4 hours after the operation for observation and in certain cases may observe you overnight in the hospital. Click here to learn about the risks of thyroid surgery. Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Columbia Thyroid Center Expert thyroid care for adults and children. Call for appointments. Thyroid Surgery Frequently Asked Questions.

If you need thyroid surgery, it is important to know what to expect. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions:. How long will I be hospitalized? What type of anesthesia will I have? Will I have a scar? You might also have to take supplements after thyroidectomy to balance your calcium levels.

After a thyroid lobectomy, you'll need to have your thyroid hormone levels checked and will be prescribed a thyroid hormone replacement, if needed. In the weeks after your thyroid surgery, you may have neck pain, soreness of your vocal chords or a weak voice.

These symptoms are usually temporary. For most people, a special diet after a thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy isn't necessary. You'll likely be able to eat and drink normally the morning after your surgery, but you may prefer softer foods at first. We'll let you know if and for how long you need to restrict your eating and drinking. Access myPennMedicine For Patients and Visitors. Surgeons typically perform thyroidectomy during general anesthesia, so you won't be conscious during the procedure.

The anesthesiologist or anesthetist gives you an anesthetic medication as a gas — to breathe through a mask — or injects a liquid medication into a vein. A breathing tube will then be placed in your trachea to assist breathing throughout the procedure.

The surgical team places several monitors on your body to help make sure that your heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen remain at safe levels throughout the procedure.

These monitors include a blood pressure cuff on your arm and heart-monitor leads attached to your chest. Once you're unconscious, the surgeon makes a cut incision low in the center of your neck. It can often be placed in a skin crease where it will be difficult to see after the incision heals. All or part of the thyroid gland is then removed, depending on the reason for the surgery.

If you're having thyroidectomy as a result of thyroid cancer, the surgeon may also examine and remove lymph nodes around your thyroid. Thyroidectomy usually takes one to two hours. It may take more or less time, depending on the extent of the surgery needed. After surgery, you're moved to a recovery room where the health care team monitors your recovery from the surgery and anesthesia.

Once you're fully conscious, you'll be moved to a hospital room. Some people may need to have a drain placed under the incision in the neck.

This drain is usually removed the morning after surgery. After thyroidectomy, a few people may experience neck pain and a hoarse or weak voice. This doesn't necessarily mean there's permanent damage to the nerve that controls the vocal cords. These symptoms are often short-term and may be due to irritation from the breathing tube that's inserted into the windpipe during surgery, or be a result of nerve irritation caused by the surgery.

There, the team can observe the patient and monitor calcium levels in the blood. When the thyroid gland is surgically removed, the body still requires thyroid hormone to keep vital functions in balance. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy involves taking synthetic or naturally derived thyroid hormones in pill form. Health Home Treatments, Tests and Therapies. What You Need to Know Thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules and other conditions may require thyroidectomy.

Why might I need a thyroidectomy? What are the risks of thyroidectomy? Voice changes, such as hoarseness Sore throat Bleeding and blood clots Adhesions or scar tissue that require another surgery Injury to the esophagus or trachea windpipe Hypoparathyroidism too little parathyroid hormone, which can result in abnormally low blood calcium levels.