What is the thyroid gland and what is its function?
The thyroid is an endocrine gland that is located primarily in the anterior neck area, in front of the trachea, and whose main function is the formation of thyroid hormone. The function of this hormone is rooted in multiple chemical reactions of the organism, that is to say, it is a stimulant of the metabolism of the human being. On the other hand, it also produces another less known hormone called thyrocalcitonin, which is very important in the metabolism of phosphorus and calcium.
What surgical techniques are used for thyroid surgery?
There are basically 2 or 3 surgical techniques in thyroid surgery. The most frequent surgery is the removal of the right or left side of the thyroid, called emyreidectomy. The other surgery performed is the total removal of the thyroid, called total thyroidectomy. On some occasions, in benign pathology, it is not necessary to remove the entire thyroid and small fragments can be left, whose intervention is called subtotal or almost total thyroidectomy.
On the other hand, surgery for thyroid cancer is necessary on some occasions, such as removing lymph nodes found in the neck around the thyroid area and this is performed in what is called cervical lymphadenectomy.
What are the most common complications in this surgery?
The most frequent complications in thyroid surgery are basically four. The first is skin infection due to the wound that is made, although it is relatively infrequent since thyroid surgery is clean.
Another complication is hemorrhage, this can have important consequences since the cervical cavity admits very little volume of blood and this can compress structures such as the trachea and cause the sensation of lack of air, in that case an urgent intervention is necessary to drain that volume of blood.
A third complication would be the injury of the recurrent nerves, those that mobilize the vocal cords and that are very close to the thyroid gland, it is therefore important that they are preserved and are not injured.
A last complication would be the injury of the parathyroid glands which are also very close to the thyroid gland and can suffer a lack of function with an alteration of calcium metabolism.
How long is it necessary to be able to lead a normal life after surgery?
Thyroid surgery, in principle, does not require a long post-operative convalescence time since it does not affect the digestive function or respiratory or cardiac function. That is why the patient in the postoperative period will begin to tolerate liquid food and in a period of between 24, 48 or 72 hours maximum the patient returns home doing practically normal life and without complications or problems of painful type, for example.
Is it necessary to take hormones after thyroid surgery?
The main function of the thyroid is the manufacture and secretion of thyroid hormones necessary for multiple chemical reactions of the human body, so when the thyroid is removed in its entirety it will be necessary to replenish these hormones by taking them daily by mouth. In the event that half of the thyroid is removed, in some patients, the remaining part may make up for the hormone secretion deficit and thyroid hormone intake may not be necessary.