What is surgical management of goiter?

During surgery, the surgeon makes a cut in the front of your neck so they can see your thyroid gland. How much of the thyroid gland is removed depends on the underlying condition causing the goitre. The procedure reduces the size of your goitre and the amount of thyroid hormones being produced.

What is intrathoracic goitre?

The currently accepted definition of an intrathoracic goitre is a thyroid gland with more than 50% of its mass located below the thoracic inlet. 1,2. This term can be further classified as an “incomplete” or a “complete” intrathoracic goitre.

What is Retrosternal thyroid?

A retrosternal thyroid refers to the abnormal location of all or part of the thyroid gland below the breastbone (sternum).

When does a goiter require surgery?

Whether a goiter needs treatment depends on the answers to the three key clinical questions. If the thyroid is so large as to cause symptoms by stretching or compressing adjacent structures, or if it is so big as to be unsightly, surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) may be required.

What is Retrosternal goitre?

A substernal goiter, also known as a retrosternal goiter, is an enlarged thyroid gland that grows inferiorly and passes through the thoracic inlet into the thoracic cavity. [1, 2] A substernal goiter is generally defined as a thyroid mass that has 50% or more of its volume located below the thoracic inlet.

How long do you have to be off work after thyroid surgery?

Most people are ready to return home within one day of surgery, but take off about two weeks from work to recover. You’ll need to refrain from heavy lifting or other tasks that can strain your neck for up to three weeks after your surgery.

How is Retrosternal goitre diagnosis?

Substernal Goiter: The Definitive Diagnosis of a Substernal/Retrosternal Goiter is Made by High Resolution Ultrasound Examination. The diagnosis of a substernal goiter is made with a comprehensive ultrasound examination of the entire thyroid gland and neck lymph nodes. Ultrasound exposes you to no radiation whatsoever.

Who performs a thyroidectomy?

Thyroid surgery is performed by otolaryngologists or general surgeons.

What size goiter should be removed?

Although the fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is still the gold standard workup for thyroid nodules, its accuracy declines as the size of the goiter increases. Therefore, once the goiter or the nodule is larger than 4cm, surgery is generally recommended.

What kind of anesthesia is used for thyroid surgery?

Patients will receive general anesthesia. With this type of anesthesia, you are completely asleep during the operation, and you will have a breathing tube placed temporarily to protect your airway and lungs.

What is a Retrosternal goiter?

The currently accepted definition of an retrosternal goiter is a thyroid gland with more than 50% of its mass located below the thoracic inlet [2]. It is characterized by slow progression and a longer course of illness. Surgery is the treatment of choice for retrosternal goiter.

How long does goiter surgery take?

Thyroidectomy usually takes one to two hours. It may take more or less time, depending on the extent of the surgery needed. There are several approaches to thyroidectomy, including: Conventional thyroidectomy.