Total Thyroidectomy 

Complete Removal of the Thyroid Gland

A Total Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the complete removal of the thyroid gland, which is situated at the front of the neck. This surgery is typically performed to treat conditions such as thyroid cancer, large thyroid nodules, or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) that cannot be effectively managed with medication.

Following a Total Thyroidectomy, patients will need to take daily thyroid hormone replacement tablets to maintain normal hormone levels, as the body will no longer produce these essential hormones naturally.

While Total Thyroidectomy is generally considered safe, like any surgical procedure, it carries some risks, including changes in voice, low calcium levels, and the potential for infection.

If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition requiring surgical intervention, Total Thyroidectomy is a suitable option for beneficial management.

Who is a Candidate?

Patients require complete removal of the thyroid gland for several reasons.

Common indications include:

• Thyroid cancer
• Large multinodular goitre causing compressive symptoms (e.g. difficulty swallowing or breathing)
• Recurrent or bilateral toxic nodular goitre
• Graves’ disease unresponsive to medical or radioiodine therapy
• Suspicious nodules with indeterminate cytology on biopsy.

Recovery Timeline

This is likely to vary with provider.

• Hospital stay: Usually 1–2 days
• Initial recovery:
  • Mild pain, neck stiffness, or voice hoarseness may occur for a few days
  • Drain (if used) removed within 24–48 hours.
• Return to light activities: Within 1–2 weeks
• Full recovery: Typically 2–4 weeks, depending on healing and occupation
• Lifelong thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine) required after surgery.

Benefits

• Definitive treatment for thyroid cancer and large or toxic goitres
• Eliminates recurrence risk in the remaining thyroid tissue
• Relieves compressive symptoms in large goitres
• Normalises thyroid function when hyperthyroidism is treated surgically.

Risks

• Low calcium (temporary or permanent) due to parathyroid gland injury — causes tingling, cramps, or numbness.
• Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury → hoarseness, voice changes, or breathing difficulty (rarely bilateral).
• Bleeding or blood clots
• Infection (rare).

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.

Total thyroidectomy offers a curative and definitive solution for thyroid cancer and large goitres but requires careful surgical technique to protect nerves and parathyroids.