Thyroid cancer treatment with total thyroid removal

The thyroid gland is completely removed when cancer spreads beyond the organ (total thyroidectomy). After that, hormones are not produced anymore. The absence of a thyroid gland does not affect life expectancy. But since the organ produces hormones essential for metabolism, glucose synthesis, tissue oxygen saturation, etc. , the patient will need lifelong hormone replacement therapy. Before the operation, the patient may be prescribed medications to stabilize his hormonal background. Surgical intervention is performed under general anesthesia and lasts, on average, about 1 hour. A small (about 4 cm) transverse incision is made on the neck to access the thyroid gland. Branches of the laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands are isolated. Then the damaged organ is excised. Suppose there are metastases in the lymph nodes or nearby neck tissues. In that case, the thyroid surgeon can expand the scope of the operation and remove them. Soft tissues are sutured, and drainage is installed. The drainage tube is removed the next day. After the operation, the patient stays in intensive care for 2 hours under the supervision of a doctor. Then he is transferred to the postoperative ward. As a rule, he can return to everyday life the day after the operation.