Hemithyroidectomy - Khobragade Multispeciality Hospital

What is Hemithyroidectomy?

Hemithyroidectomy is a surgical procedure where one lobe (half) of the thyroid gland is removed. It is commonly performed to treat benign thyroid nodules, suspicious nodules, or small localized thyroid cancers. Unlike total thyroidectomy, hemithyroidectomy preserves the other lobe, allowing the thyroid to continue functioning partially, which may reduce the need for lifelong thyroid hormone replacement.

Hemithyroidectomy is a safe and effective surgery for various thyroid conditions, offering the benefit of treatment with potential preservation of natural thyroid function. If you experience symptoms like neck swelling, difficulty swallowing, or are diagnosed with thyroid nodules, consult your endocrinologist or surgeon to evaluate if hemithyroidectomy is the right treatment for you.

Symptoms Indicating Need for Hemithyroidectomy

Your doctor may recommend hemithyroidectomy if you experience:

A thyroid nodule that is suspicious for cancer
Benign nodules causing compression symptoms (difficulty swallowing, breathing issues)
Unilateral (one-sided) thyroid enlargement
Overactive nodule (toxic nodule) causing hyperthyroidism
Cysts or nodules that continue to grow despite aspiration or medical management

Common symptoms before surgery include:

Swelling in the neck
Visible lump in the thyroid region
Hoarseness or voice changes (if nodules press on nerves)
Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Procedure or Treatment

Hemithyroidectomy procedure includes:

Preoperative evaluation: Ultrasound, thyroid function tests, and FNAC (fine-needle aspiration cytology) if required.
Anaesthesia: Performed under general anaesthesia.
Incision: A small horizontal incision is made at the front of the neck.
Lobe removal: The affected thyroid lobe is carefully separated from surrounding tissues and removed.
Closure: The incision is closed with sutures or skin glue, leaving a minimal scar.

Postoperative care

Hospital stay of 1-2 days
Monitoring for voice changes or calcium level disturbances
Regular follow-up to assess thyroid function

Prevention

While hemithyroidectomy itself is a treatment rather than preventable, you can maintain thyroid health by:

Consuming adequate iodine through diet
Regular check-ups if there is a family history of thyroid disorders
Early evaluation of neck lumps or swallowing difficulties
Avoiding exposure to unnecessary radiation, especially in childhood

Benefits of Hemithyroidectomy

Removes problematic nodules while preserving half of the thyroid gland
Reduces or eliminates symptoms caused by enlarged or toxic nodules
Often avoids lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy (compared to total thyroidectomy)
Lower risk of complications such as hypocalcemia
Effective treatment for certain small, low-risk thyroid cancers

Types of Hemithyroidectomy

Standard Hemithyroidectomy: Removal of one thyroid lobe along with the isthmus (connecting part).
Isthmusectomy: Only the isthmus is removed (if disease is confined here).
Extended Hemithyroidectomy: Removal of one lobe, isthmus, and part of the contralateral lobe (rarely required).