How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have hyperthyroidism, your doctor may prescribe medication — such as an iodine and potassium solution — to regulate your thyroid function and decrease the risk of bleeding.
You may need to avoid eating and drinking for a certain period of time before surgery, as well, to avoid anesthesia complications. Your doctor will provide specific instructions.
- 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.
- Thyroid surgery. American Thyroid Association. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/ThyroidSurgery.pdf. Accessed July 15, 2011.
- Thyroid disorders and surgery. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Thyroid-Disorders.cfm. Accessed July 18, 2011.
- Ross DS. Surgery in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 18, 2011.
- Tuttle RM. Surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 18, 2011.
- Wang TS, et al. Initial and reoperative thyroidectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 18, 2011.
- Lee J, et al. Perioperative clinical outcomes after robotic thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma: A multicenter study. Surgical Endoscopy. 2011;25:906.
- Kasperbauer JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 14, 2011.


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