How do they remove thyroid nodules?

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

During the procedure, your doctor inserts a very thin needle in the nodule and removes a sample of cells. The procedure is usually done in your doctor's office, takes about 20 minutes and has few risks. Often, your doctor will use ultrasound to help guide the placement of the needle.

Is thyroid nodule removal a major surgery?

A thyroidectomy is a common but major surgery with serious risks and potential complications.

Is thyroid nodule surgery painful?

Typically, there is not a lot of pain involved with thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Rarely narcotic pain medication will be required, but it will be available to you if needed. Most patients only need acetaminophen (Tylenol) for discomfort.

Can a benign thyroid nodule be removed without removing the thyroid?

Now there's an effective alternative to surgery: radiofrequency ablation, a treatment that uses heat to shrink nodules from the inside. UT Southwestern is one of the few health centers in the U.S. to offer radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules.

What happens after thyroid nodule is removed?

Thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules and other conditions may require thyroidectomy. Once the thyroid gland is removed, the person takes replacement thyroid hormone to keep the body's functions in balance.

Thyroid Surgery to Remove Nodule Suspicious for Cancer

Do I have to stay in the hospital after thyroid nodule removal?

After thyroid surgery, you will probably stay in hospital for one or two nights to recover from surgery. Your neck wound will be closed with stitches, adhesive strips or small clips. Your nursing team will talk to you about how to care for your surgical wound site once you go home to prevent it becoming infected.

Can you talk after thyroid nodule surgery?

Your voice probably will be hoarse, and you may have trouble talking. For most people, these problems get better within 3 to 4 months, but it can take as long as a year. In some cases, this surgery causes permanent problems with chewing, speaking, or swallowing.

How long is surgery to remove thyroid nodule?

Thyroidectomy usually takes 1 to 2 hours. It may take more or less time, depending on the extent of the surgery.

Can a surgeon tell if a thyroid nodule is cancerous?

Nodules diagnosed as indeterminate or suspicious by a biopsy also need surgical removal, so they can be examined for signs of cancer.

How long does it take to recover from thyroid nodule surgery?

Most people are ready to return home within one day of surgery, but take off about two weeks from work to recover. You'll need to refrain from heavy lifting or other tasks that can strain your neck for up to three weeks after your surgery.

Will I gain weight after thyroid removal?

Following thyroid surgery, patients often complain of weight gain, even when they have achieved biochemical euthyroidism.

Can you be awake during thyroid surgery?

Conclusion: Awake thyroidectomy is a well-tolerated and safe procedure in appropriately selected patients, with many potential benefits over general anesthesia. In most cases, only local anesthesia is required. Increased experience with this technique may be associated with increased patient comfort.

When should I surgically remove thyroid nodule?

Your doctor may recommend that you consider thyroid surgery for 4 main reasons: You have a nodule that might be thyroid cancer. You have a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. You have a nodule or goiter that is causing local symptoms – compression of the trachea, difficulty swallowing or a visible or unsightly mass.

Can you tell if a thyroid nodule is cancerous from an ultrasound?

It can help determine the location and size of thyroid cancers and whether they have spread to nearby areas, although ultrasound is usually the test of choice. A CT scan can also be used to look for spread into distant organs such as the lungs.

What causes thyroid nodules to grow?

Most thyroid nodules grow due to thyroid autoimmunity or iodine deficiency or excess, but cancer can also cause a small percentage of cases. If your thyroid nodule is growing, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Do they put you to sleep for a thyroid biopsy?

Thyroid biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure and is often done in the office setting. Patients are awake for the procedure. A thin needle is carefully inserted into the thyroid nodule.

What are the symptoms of cancerous thyroid nodules?

Should I be worried if I have nodules on my thyroid?

The vast majority — more than 95% — of thyroid nodules are benign (noncancerous). If concern arises about the possibility of cancer, the doctor may simply recommend monitoring the nodule over time to see if it grows. Ultrasound can help evaluate a thyroid nodule and determine the need for biopsy.

What if thyroid biopsy is positive?

A positive marker indicates the need for a total thyroidectomy instead of a lobectomy, and negative markers may support a decision to forgo surgery for a follicular lesion of undetermined significance. Further studies are needed to determine the utility of these tests for indeterminate nodules.

How big is the incision for thyroid surgery?

HOW BIG WILL THE INCISION BE? This is largely dependent on how big your thyroid is and how extensive a surgery is required for removal. You may ask your surgeon how long they expect your incision to be. In general, most incisions will be between 1.5 to 3 inches long.

How many hours is thyroid surgery?

Thyroid operations can last from 45 minutes to 3 hours. The length of the operation is determined by whether one or both lobes are removed, and by the complexity of the operation.

Will my voice come back after thyroid surgery?

Will my voice ever return to normal? As mentioned above, if there is no nerve injury or if the injury is minimal, it's expected that voice changes will settle within three to six months. If one nerve is transected (i.e. cut), there is no possibility of a complete return to normal voice.

Will I have a drain after thyroid surgery?

Drains are usually left after thyroid surgery to prevent formation of hematoma and seroma in the thyroid bed. This is done to reduce complications and hospital stay. Objective evaluation of the amount collected in the thyroid bed by ultrasonography (USG) can help in assessing the role of drains.

Can you lay down after thyroid surgery?

It is fine to sleep in a bed after the surgery, just try to rest on two pillows for the first 2 days to minimize swelling. Patients can drive when they are not taking narcotic medications (usually 2-3 days). You may return to work or full activity when you feel ready. This is typically about 1-2 weeks.

Do you need a urinary catheter for thyroid surgery?

If you're having an endoscopic or robotic thyroidectomy, the surgeon will use small instruments and a video camera to perform the procedure through tiny incisions. A catheter may be placed in the area to help drain blood and fluids.