Partial thyroidectomy

Partial removal of the thyroid gland

A partial thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing a portion of the thyroid gland, the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck responsible for regulating metabolism, energy levels, and other essential body functions.

This surgery is commonly recommended when part of the thyroid is affected by:

• Nodules

• Swelling (goiter)

• Hyperthyroidism that doesn’t respond to medication or other treatments

By removing only the affected part, the remaining thyroid can continue producing necessary hormones to support your body’s functions.

During the procedure, a surgeon makes a small incision in the neck to carefully remove the problematic portion of the thyroid gland while preserving the healthy tissue. The surgery is typically done under general anaesthesia, ensuring you are asleep and comfortable throughout.

Short hospital stay: Many patients recover quickly and can return home the same day or after a short stay.

Minimal scarring: While there may be a small scar on your neck, it usually heals well over time.

Quick recovery: Most individuals resume normal activities within a few days.

Who is a Candidate?

Patients requiring removal of one lobe (half) of the thyroid gland, usually for localised disease.

Common indications include:

• Solitary thyroid nodule
• Unilateral toxic adenoma (causing hyperthyroidism)
• Low-risk thyroid cancer (e.g. small, unifocal papillary carcinoma)
• Diagnostic surgery when fine-needle aspiration results are inconclusive
• Asymmetric goitre or localised compressive symptoms confined to one side.

Recovery Timeline

This is likely to vary with provider.

• Hospital stay: Usually overnight or same-day discharge
• Initial recovery:
  • Mild neck pain and temporary voice change may occur
  • Drain (if placed) typically removed within 24 hours.
• Return to light activities: 1–2 weeks.
• Full recovery: 2–3 weeks.

Many patients do not require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement, as the remaining lobe can maintain normal function.

Benefits

• Less invasive than total thyroidectomy
• Lower risk of complications (especially hypocalcaemia and nerve injury)
• Preserves natural thyroid function in many cases → no need for medication
• Effective diagnostic and therapeutic option for localised disease.

Risks

• Bleeding or blood clots
• Injury to recurrent laryngeal nerve → hoarseness or voice change
• Infection (uncommon)
• Need for completion thyroidectomy if cancer is found postoperatively
• Residual or recurrent disease if pathology extends beyond the removed lobe.

This is just an outline. Your specialist ENT surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.

Partial (hemi-) thyroidectomy is a safe and conservative option for localised or uncertain thyroid disease -  it preserves thyroid function in the majority of cases.