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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration of the thyroid gland Thyroid gland

Thyroidectomy is the removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. It produces hormones that regulate every aspect of your metabolism, from your heart rate to how quickly you burn calories.

Thyroidectomy is used to treat thyroid disorders, such as cancer, noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

How much of your thyroid gland is removed during thyroidectomy depends on the reason for surgery. If only a portion is removed (partial thyroidectomy), your thyroid may be able to function normally after surgery. If your entire thyroid is removed (total thyroidectomy), you need daily treatment with thyroid hormone to replace your thyroid's natural function.

Why it's done
References
  1. Lal G, et al. Thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=50. Accessed July 14, 2011.
  2. Thyroid surgery. American Thyroid Association. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/ThyroidSurgery.pdf. Accessed July 15, 2011.
  3. Thyroid disorders and surgery. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Thyroid-Disorders.cfm. Accessed July 18, 2011.
  4. Ross DS. Surgery in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 18, 2011.
  5. Tuttle RM. Surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 18, 2011.
  6. Wang TS, et al. Initial and reoperative thyroidectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 18, 2011.
  7. Lee J, et al. Perioperative clinical outcomes after robotic thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma: A multicenter study. Surgical Endoscopy. 2011;25:906.
  8. Kasperbauer JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 14, 2011.
MY00709 Oct. 6, 2011

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