What Are Goitre and Thyroid Surgery?
Goitre refers to enlargement of the thyroid gland and can involve a single nodule or multiple nodules. Most thyroid nodules are benign, but surgical treatment is considered for nodules that are large enough to affect breathing or swallowing, cause cosmetic concern, or raise suspicion of malignancy. Prof. Dr. Ömer Karakoç, experienced in head and neck surgery in Ankara, places particular emphasis on protecting the nerves controlling the vocal cords during thyroid surgery.
Symptoms / Who Is a Candidate
- A palpable, growing thyroid nodule or goitre in the neck.
- Large goitre causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
- A suspicious or malignant finding on fine-needle biopsy.
- Goitre with excess thyroid hormone production (hyperthyroidism) that cannot be controlled with medication.
- Neck swelling that causes cosmetic discomfort.
Diagnostic Methods
Ultrasound is the first step in assessing thyroid nodules, examining the size, structure and any suspicious features. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) provides cellular assessment for suspicious nodules. Thyroid hormone levels (TSH, T3, T4) are assessed via blood tests to clarify gland function.
Treatment Process
Small, benign and asymptomatic nodules may only require regular ultrasound follow-up. The decision for surgery is based on nodule size, biopsy result, hormone function and the patient's symptoms. During surgery (thyroidectomy/lobectomy), nerve monitoring is used to track and help protect the function of the nerves controlling the vocal cords. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and generally takes 1-2 hours.
Recovery Process
Hospital stay after surgery is generally 1-2 days. Tenderness and swelling in the neck area subside within a few weeks. Patients who have the entire thyroid removed require lifelong hormone replacement therapy and regular blood tests; for partial surgery, follow-up is planned according to hormone function.
Why Choose Prof. Dr. Ömer Karakoç?
Thyroid surgery is a delicate area of expertise due to the surrounding vocal cord nerves and parathyroid glands. Prof. Dr. Ömer Karakoç personally follows patients from diagnosis through to post-operative hormone monitoring at his clinic in Çankaya, Ankara.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every thyroid nodule require surgery?
No. Small, benign and asymptomatic nodules generally only require regular ultrasound follow-up. The decision for surgery is based on size, biopsy result, hormone function and the patient's symptoms.
Does hoarseness occur after thyroid surgery?
Since nerves adjacent to the thyroid gland control the vocal cords, a temporary voice change may rarely occur. Techniques such as nerve monitoring during surgery aim to reduce this risk.
What happens if the entire thyroid is removed?
When the entire thyroid is removed, the body can no longer produce thyroid hormone; therefore, lifelong hormone replacement therapy (levothyroxine) and regular blood tests are required.
What happens if the biopsy result is suspicious?
If a fine-needle biopsy detects a suspicious or malignant finding, surgical removal of the nodule and pathological examination is recommended.
Is there a visible scar on the neck after surgery?
The incision is planned along a natural neck crease and fades noticeably over time. The final visibility of the scar can vary depending on skin type and individual healing.
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