Thyroidectomy is primarily indicated for hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, and diffuse goiter that have failed to respond to drug therapy.
The thyroid gland is a thyroid hormone-secreting organ. Excision generally causes thyroid hormone deficiency, also known as hypothyroidism. Long-term oral exogenous thyroid hormone therapy is required in the later stages
. Thyroidectomy includes subtotal resection, total resection, and is determined primarily by disease. For example, thyroid cancer is usually considered for total resection with lymph node dissection.
In the treatment of hyperthyroidism, some patients require surgical resection because medication has failed. Patients with diffuse goiter who do not have symptoms of abnormal thyroid function but present with an oversized thyroid gland compressing the trachea or esophagus may be given surgical treatment. Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland can cause a decrease in thyroid hormone levels compared to before. However, it is not certain whether this causes abnormal function. For example, surgery for hyperthyroidism may not cause hypothyroidism. However, most diseases may cause a decrease in thyroid hormone secretion after removal, resulting in secondary hypothyroidism. Long-term oral thyroid hormone therapy is required.