Thyroidectomy is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). An incision is made in the front of the neck. All or part of the thyroid gland, depending on the particular procedure, is removed.

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism. Some diseases affect the gland by reducing its output of hormones (hypothyroidism), while others cause overproduction of hormones (hyperthyroidism).

Thyroid disorders are more common in older children and adolescents (especially in girls) than in infants. Most thyroid disorders can be treated with medication, but surgery is sometimes required.

Thyroidectomy may be recommended for the following:

• Increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis)
• Decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism) with enlargement (hypertrophy) of the gland
• Primary cancer of the thyroid
• Enlargement of the thyroid (nontoxic goiter)
• Patients unwilling to be treated with radioactive iodine whose hyperthyroidism cannot be treated with antithyroid drugs.
• Hashimoto's disease (a type of hypothyroidism)

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

• Bleeding
• Infection

• Bleeding and possible airway obstruction
• Temporary or permanent loss of ability to speak due to paralysis of the vocal chords
• Inadequate thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
• Injury to the adjacent parathyroid glands
• Inadequate level of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia)

When performed by experienced endocrine surgeons, the outcome of thyroid surgery is usually excellent. Thyroid function tests may need to continue following thyroid surgery, and thyroid hormone replacement maybe necessary.

In general, patients recover rapidly from uncomplicated thyroid surgery. Most patients are able to resume most normal activities within 1-2 weeks.