Thyroid disease is a high incidence nowadays, especially thyroid nodules (lumps), the incidence rate is increasing year by year. After traditional surgery for thyroid nodules, some patients have a “suicide” scar across their necks, which not only affects their appearance, but also traumatizes them, and in severe cases, creates a sense of fear of social interaction, and some may even delay treatment because of the fear of surgery and post-surgical scarring. Traditional Surgery vs. Lumpectomy Traditional thyroid surgery involves cutting the skin of the neck and exposing the thyroid gland to the air. The incision is large and the scar on the neck is obvious after the surgery. Thyroid Luminal Surgery is less traumatic, the scar is hidden, and the recovery after the surgery is fast and does not affect the aesthetics. There are two types of thyroid surgery: 1. An incision is made in the skin near the neck (1.5 to 2.0 centimeters), the thyroid gland is found under the naked eye, and then the cavity and surgical instruments are put in to operate. 2.Make an incision (0.5～1.0 cm) in places other than the neck, such as the cleavage, areola, armpit, mouth, etc., and then place the laparoscope and surgical instruments to “trek” to the thyroid gland, relying entirely on the operation of the laparoscope. What diseases are suitable for laparoscopic surgery? 1, nodular thyroid tumor is suitable, but the tumor can not be too large, not more than 6 cm, belonging to the nodular tumor cystic changes can not exceed 7 cm. It is too big and the space in the neck is limited, which is not suitable for laparoscopic surgery. 2.Thyroid adenoma, a single adenoma, can not exceed six centimeters. 3, early thyroid cancer, no lymph node metastasis can be done, hyperthyroidism patients can also be done. Of course, the indications for laparoscopic surgery are still related to the surgeon’s technical level and proficiency, if the surgeon has a very high level of laparoscopic technology, the indications for laparoscopic surgery can be expanded and not completely limited to these diseases. Contraindications of thyroid lumpectomy: 1, thyroid cancer with high malignant degree (such as medullary thyroid cancer); 2, metastasis before surgery; 3, obesity, short neck; 4, neck surgery or radiotherapy in the past. Precautions after lumpectomy: 1. Diet recovery should be slow. Warm and cool liquid diet, such as broth, juice, rice soup, should be given on the day after thyroid surgery. Warm and cool semi-liquid diet, such as porridge, noodles, etc., should be given for 2 to 3 days after surgery. After three days of surgery, gradually change to soft food, ordinary diet. 2, not in a hurry to exercise Do not exercise within two weeks after surgery, do not lift heavy objects. After two weeks, you can do light exercise, such as walking, cycling, etc. After the surgery, you can do normal exercise. After one month of surgery, you can do normal exercise again. The back of the thyroid gland has a gland called the parathyroid gland, and the calcium in the blood depends on it to maintain stability. Surgery may cause damage to the parathyroid glands, resulting in hypocalcemia, which may be asymptomatic or only manifested as numbness in the ends of the hands and feet, around the mouth, and on the face, or in severe cases, convulsions of the hands and feet, or even respiratory difficulties. Hypocalcemia is either temporary or permanent and requires calcium supplementation. Temporary hypocalcemia patients should be examined once a week, and will gradually return to normal after 2 to 4 weeks; permanent hypocalcemia patients need to be examined once a month after calcium supplementation to normal, and if normal for three consecutive months, the examination will be extended to once every three months. Regular review of thyroid function Hypothyroidism is the most common complication of surgery, once it occurs, it is usually permanent and requires lifelong taking thyroxine tablets to replace the normal function of thyroid gland. In addition, thyroid cancer patients need to take high doses of thyroxine tablets to inhibit the recurrence of metastatic cancer. Therefore thyroid function needs to be monitored after surgery. Start with monthly checkups; every three months if it is normal for three consecutive months; and every six months if it is still normal.