Endocrine Surgery
Surgery for Thyroid Cancer
A thyroidectomy is carried out under a general anaesthetic. The operation usually takes around two hours and will leave a small scar in the lower neck.
In most cases this should not be very noticeable as the scar is usually located within a skin crease.Following surgery, your neck will feel sore, so you will be given painkillers to help ease any discomfort. Your voice may sound hoarse, but this usually passes within a few weeks. In a small number of cases, the hoarseness can be permanent.
You will routinely have a vocal cord check both before and after your surgery and will be referred to ENT if your voice change is persistent.
You may also have a lymph node dissection if the cancer has spread to the cervical lymph nodes.
Most people are well enough to leave hospital the next day but if you have a total thyroidectomy you will be kept in for between three to five days. Following discharge all patients are advised to convalesce , for two to three weeks, and avoid any activities that could put a strain on your neck, such as heavy lifting. You would normally be expected to return to work within a month.
Following discharge from hospital you will be reviewed in the combined Endocrine Clinic and have routine thryoid function and calcium blood tests.
Further information can be found on: