The thyroid is a gland located in the neck, which is characterized by its butterfly shape. The function of this endocrine gland is to produce hormones and help control the metabolism of the human body.
The thyroid gland can present two types of alterations: when there is an increased function due to the production of too many hormones (Hyperthyroidism) or when the thyroid gland generates few hormones (Hypothyroidism). Hyperthyroidism produces symptoms such as anxiety, heat intolerance, weakness and excessive sweating, among others. Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, produces depression, intolerance to cold, weight gain and fatigue, mainly.
What is the surgical treatment?
Thyroid surgery consists of total (thyroidectomy) or partial removal of the thyroid gland, depending on the different pathological processes that may affect it. It is performed under general anesthesia and varies depending on the type of surgery that each pathology requires, partial or total resection of the gland without or with associated lymph node emptying.
Thyroid surgery should be performed in the following cases:
- In thyroid nodules or cysts
- In nodular goiters
- In thyroid cancer
- In thyroid disorders that do not respond to medical treatment.
The experience and expertise of the surgeon is an important factor in the duration of the interventions not only of thyroid, but of any type of surgery. In expert hands, the scar produced by the operation is as small as possible, the minimum necessary to remove the thyroid gland safely. The average time for a thyroid procedure is between one and two and a half hours.
Care of the recurrent nerve
The recurrent nerve is a branch of the vagus or pneumogastric nerve (X cranial nerve), which conducts sensory and motor impulses. It is responsible for the innervation of the vocal cords, and runs through the tracheoesophageal space, located behind the thyroid gland. It must be identified in the surgical act, since its lesion implies phonation defects.
It is important to identify the recurrent nerve on the side where the intervention is being performed (right in the case of right hemithyroidectomy, left in the case of left hemithyroidectomy or bilateral in the case of total thyroidectomy). Non-identification of the nerve and its possible injury implies permanent phonation problems.