The thyroid is an important, butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower aspect of the central neck that has important functions, including regulating the body’s metabolic rate, growth, and metabolism. Various conditions of the thyroid may lead patients to require surgery, including cancer (papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma), goiter (multiple nodules that may cause enlargement of the gland, airway obstruction, or difficulty swallowing), or hyperthyroidism (Graves disease).
Thyroidectomy is incredibly common and safe in experienced hands. Surgeons (including Drs. Genden, Berger, Chai, Khan, Kirke, Roof, Teng, and Urken) must remove the thyroid gland (typically either half or whole) while preserving the recurrent laryngeal nerve (the nerve that allows the vocal cords to move) and the parathyroid glands (which regulate the body’s calcium. Your surgeon will work closely with your endocrinologist to ensure your thyroid hormone levels are at the optimal levels.
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The Mount Sinai Otolaryngology Surgical Video Series was edited by Dr. Zachary Schwam.
