Intervention by the removal of the thyroid gland
Written by:When secretion of the thyroid gland increases abnormally can be altered blood pressure, tachycardia, weight loss, exophthalmos (eyes "bulge"), diarrhea or nervousness.
The intervention of the removal of the thyroid gland is done by a horizontal incision in front of the neck, about 3 cms. sternum and usually not exceed sternocleidomastoid muscles. The muscles that are ahead of the thyroid (pretiroideos muscles) and the gland totally or partially (a thyroid lobe) is removed, calling the latter technique thyroid lobectomy separate.
Usually a draw, or two left, according to thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy is made. The wound closure culminates with an intradermal suture.
Complications of removal of the thyroid gland
Complications have thyroid surgery are mainly three:
- bleeding. Exceptionally, it can occur in the first 8 hours postoperatively.
- Laryngeal nerve injury: superior laryngeal nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve. This nerve is responsible for the movement of the vocal cords and extending between the trachea and esophagus just below the thyroid gland, the dissection must be made very carefully.
- Involvement of the parathyroid glands. These glands have nothing to do with the thyroid gland, that are responsible for the metabolism of calcium, but being next to the thyroid called parathyroid. There are four glands, one in each upper thyroid pole and one in each bottom or side lower pole of the thyroid. Removal of the thyroid may harm them temporarily. The clinical manifestation of the injury corresponds to a decrease in blood calcium (hypocalcemia), which should be treated with calcium and even medications that increase calcium absorption in the intestine. In these cases, the injury lasts a few weeks, returning to normal after that time the figures calcium.
It is necessary to avoid exposure of the wound to the sun for six months so that the scar remains colorless.
Postoperative removal of the thyroid gland
The intervention of thyroid surgery is painless, and postoperative should pass without incident.
- In the case of thyroid lobectomy (thyroidectomy), within a period of 24 hours drainage is removed and the patient is discharged.
- In the case of total thyroidectomy, the residence time can be 48 to 72 hours, because you have to carry out checks of blood calcium.
- In the case of total thyroidectomy, the patient take thyroid hormone throughout his life, as the thyroid gland was removed. The dose is set by the Surgeon General and the medication is given as one tablet a day, taken in the morning.
How long the patient can lead a normal life?
The patient can eat from 6 to 8 hours after surgery. Of course, you can talk and you can make your normal life in 24 hours, or in cases of total thyroidectomy, when the patient discharged. It is appropriate, however, it is at least a period of a week of sick leave, up review of the wound, but this depends on the presence of other diseases have the patient's age, the type of work, etc. .. this may reduce the downtime or extended.
