Thyroid Gland
What is the thyroid gland and what is its function?
The thyroid is an endocrine gland located in the neck. Its primary function is to secrete the hormones which are necessary to regulate body temperature and the energy consumption of our body. The thyroid may also be related to alterations of character, sleep and even appetite.
The importance of this gland is often due to its fragility. It tends to dysfunction easily, resulting in a deficit or an excess of hormones, which can greatly impair the quality of life of patients.
The thyroid produces hormones which are necessary to regulate body temperature and the energy consumption of our body. The thyroid may also be related to alterations of character, sleep and even appetite.
AESTHETIC RESULT OF A THYROID OPERATION
AESTHETIC RESULT OF A THYROID OPERATION
What problems can the thyroid have?
There is a type of thyroid disease that does not produce detectable hormonal alteration and therefore it can be difficult to diagnose. This occurs in the case of a single cystic or solid nodule or a multinodular goiter (the whole gland grows in the form of multiple nodules and can produce an increase in the neck's diameter).
Another type of pathology is that which produces hormonal alteration (defect or excess), such as toxic sole nodules, hyperthyroid multinodular goiter, Graves-Basedow disease, thyroiditis, among others.
Although most of these dysfunctions can be treated medically, it is sometimes necessary to perform surgery on the thyroid. This is the case of some thyroid nodules, large multinodular goiters, hyperthyroidism (excessive functioning of the gland) and thyroid cancer.
Only thyroid cancer which is detected early and is well-operated on can be cured. That is why it is recommended that nodules> 3 cm are removed.
It is important that the surgical procedure is performed by an expert surgeon in order to guarantee the best prognosis of this disorder.
A simple way to detect thyroid problems is palpating the neck.
Thyroid cancer detected early anb well-operated can be cured.
Is it important who performs the surgery?
It is the most important factor to consider. This is one of the few cancers in which an operation is the indispensable step, which is necessary and normally enough cure it. More than 80% of cases will be cured in this way.
An operation carried out by expert hands can cure thyroid cancer.
Dr. Oscar Vidal has carried out more than 3000 operations the last 10 years.
Can the thyroid gland develop cancer?
Thyroid cancer may appear in a single nodule or may develop over a long period of time within a multinodular goiter. There are different types of malignant tumors in the thyroid, but the most common is differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
We can also find metastases from other cancers in the form of a thyroid nodule.
Thyroid cancer may appear in a single nodule or may develop over a long period of time within a multinodular goiter.
WHEN SHOULD THE THYROID BE OPERATED ON?
The thyroid must be operated on when symptoms are detected due to its hormonal secretion, its size or the risk of malignant degeneration.
The thyroid must be operated on when symptoms are detected, because of its size or the risk of malignant degeneration.
DOES A THYROID OPERATION LEAVE VISIBLE SCARS?
The surgery to remove the thyroid gland does leave visible scars but they are minimal. We perform the procedure using the minimal incision technique necessary (MINT, the minimal incision necessary for a thyroidectomy), making use of microsurgical glasses and the latest generation endoscopic instruments.
A normal thyroid measures between 5 and 8 cm. However, when there is a tumour, a cyst or a multinodular goiter in the thyroid, it can even measure over 10 cm. Traditionally, the thyroid can be removed with relative ease with a 8 to 10 cm incision. It must be remembered that the thyroid should be removed completely, without any fragments and with the capsule intact (in some cases the diagnosis of cancer is given by the thyroid capsule).
With the technique that we have developed, we can completely extract the thyroid with total safety, through a 3 to 5 cm skin incision in most cases. Therefore, even though the thyroidectomy is not completely invisible, it is true that it is such a small incision is almost imperceptible when it is performed in a skin fold of the neck.
With the technique that we have developed, we can completely extract the thyroid with total safety, through a 3 to 5 cm skin incision.
THYROIDECTOMY WITHOUT VISIBLE SCARS
THYROIDECTOMY WITHOUT VISIBLE SCARS
HOW CAN I KNOW IF I HAVE THYROID CANCER?
This cancer can occur in any person and even in a previously healthy thyroid gland, it is known that between 5 and 15% of the thyroid nodules are potentially malignant. It is therefore very important that when a patient notices a tumour in the central part of their neck, or if they already know that they have thyroid nodules or cysts, they visit a thyroid specialist so that the correct diagnosis can be made accordingly.
Can thyroid cancer be cured?
A surgical procedure is an essential step. This is necessary and normally sufficient to cure the cancer in 80% of the cases.
Surgery is essential, necessary and usually sufficient to cure the cancer.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A NODULE WHICH IS OVER 3 CM?
If we cannot be sure that the nodule is 100% benign and it has a solid component, the most reasonable thing is to remove the part of the thyroid where the nodule is located in order to analyse its characteristics.
If we cannot be sure that the nodule is 100% benign, the part of the thyroid where the nodule is located should be removed.
DOES THYROID SURGERY REQUIRE HOSPITAL ADMISSION?
The patient will usually go home the day after surgery. On rare occasions, patients can spend up to three days in hospital.
WHAT RISKS DOES THE OPERATION HAVE?
No operation is without any risk, and although most patients recover completely within a few weeks, the possible side effects must be taken into account.
General risks: Infection, transient and symmetrical twitching and cramping (hands and mouth).
Serious risks: Hematomas in the neck, permanent alterations of the voice or of the calcium metabolism.
What will I notice in the post-operative period?
After a thyroidectomy you may notice some short-term discomfort in your throat due to the plastic tube which was inserted in the trachea to administer the anesthesia: itching, pain when swallowing, a hoarse voice or even aphonia. Because of the head's position during surgery, you may even feel discomfort like a torticollis.
These symptoms only last for approximately 3 weeks and practically never need specific treatment.
After a thyroidectomy you may notice some short-term discomfort in your throat: itching, pain when swallowing, a hoarse voice or even aphonia.
What does the surgery involve?
The procedure is carried out with general anesthesia by means of a horizontal incision (cut) of about 5 cm in the lower part of the neck. The operation will usually last less than two hours.
Very occasionally, it is necessary for the patient to leave the operating theatre with a drainage tube in their neck.
What can I eat after the operation?
When you are discharged, it is essential to continue the same rhythm of meals that was carried out in the hospital, that is, a minimum of three meals. It should be noted that in the period of convalescence it is essential that the patient is well hydrated and fed, so it is not to go on a diet or eat less at this time.
You can eat everything you did before having surgery. However, you should only eat soft foods and you might experience a slight discomfort or pain when swallowing (this sometimes happens and is completely normal).
You can eat everything you did before surgery.
Does a thyroid operation leave visible neck scars?
In some cases the inflammation - exaggerated or deficient scarring - can lead to the appearance of unsightly or even ugly scars. In addition, significant inflammation of the operated tissue will lead to the sensation of difficulty in swallowing, because the swollen tissues will produce an "ice block" effect. For these cases, there are a number of healing substances and dressings that when used properly can considerably reduce these effects.
