What is thyroidectomy?
A thyroidectomy is the removal of all (total thyroidectomy) or part of the thyroid gland (subtotal thyroidectomy, hemithyroidectomy or lobectomy). The most common indications for removal of the thyroid, or part of it, is a large mass in the thyroid gland, difficulties with breathing or swallowing related to a thyroid nodule, cancer of the thyroid gland, goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland), and for treatment of an overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid refractory to drugs.