Thyroid Surgery

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland that is located in front of the trachea and creates hormones that regulate the use of energy in the body. Typically, thyroid surgery is necessary to treat two main problems related to the thyroid: thyroid nodules (abnormal growths in the thyroid that may be cancerous) and thyroid cancer.

At The Longstreet Clinic, P.C., our surgeons are highly qualified to treat each of these conditions and have a great deal of experience in performing the surgical procedures necessary. During the procedure, some or all of the thyroid gland is removed, depending on the severity of the condition.

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss with you the appropriate type of procedure for your particular case. With that in mind, there are four distinct procedures that your surgeon may recommend:

• Total thyroidectomy: Your surgeon will remove the entire gland and the lymph nodessurrounding the gland.
• Thyroid lobectomy with or without an isthmectomy: If your thyroid nodules are located in one lobe, your surgeon may remove only that lobe. With the addition of an isthmectomy, the band of tissue that connects the two lobes also is removed. After the surgery, your nodule will be examined under a microscope to see whether there are any cancer cells.
• Endoscopic thyroidectomy: This surgery may be performed to remove small, noncancerous nodules or to remove the entire thyroid gland. In an endoscopic procedure, a surgeon makes a smaller incision in the neck through which a tiny camera and instruments are passed. The surgeon uses the camera to guide the instruments to remove the thyroid nodule or tissue. Endoscopic surgery usually results in a shorter recovery time and less visible scarring than the other two open surgery procedures.

For the most part, recovery after any type of thyroid surgery is minimal. Most thyroidectomies are outpatient procedures. Some patients are even able to go home just a few hours after surgery. In general, you should be able to return to your normal routine after one to two weeks. If your procedure was performed to determine if cancer is present in the thyroid gland, results from the pathologist usually will be available about a week after surgery.

We understand that choosing a surgeon for your thyroid procedure is a process based on trust and the knowledge that your physician genuinely cares about what is best for your individual case. Our team of surgeons, including thyroid specialists Dr. Derek Pendarvis and Dr. James Allen Butts, pride themselves on treating each patient as a unique and individual case that requires a unique and individual treatment process. We look forward to sitting down with you and determining the best course of care to treat your thyroid condition through the most appropriate surgical procedure available.