Thyroidectomy
A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure designed to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. Thyroidectomies are used to treat thyroid cancer, severe hyperthyroidism (Grave’s disease), or an enlarged thyroid (goiter). There are 3 different types of thyroidectomy surgery.  A Total Thyroidectomy, used for aggressive cancer, goiter, and hyperthyroidism, removes the entire thyroid. A Subtotal or Partial Thyroidectomy removes half of the thyroid, and is used for treating localized (isolated) or less aggressive cancers. A Thyroid Lobectomy removes approximately ¼ of the gland, and is relatively rare. During a thyroidectomy, the surgeon makes an incision across the base of the front of the neck. The surgeon separates the trachea and the parathyroid from the thyroid, and removes the necessary part of the gland.