INDICATIONS FOR THYROIDECTOMY

INDICATIONS FOR THYROIDECTOMY
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Thyroidectomy is usually performed for the following reasons:

As therapy for some individuals with thyrotoxicosis; those with Graves’ disease; and others with a hot nodule or toxic nodular goiter.
To establish a definitive diagnosis of a mass within the thyroid gland, especially when cytologic analysis after fine needle aspiration (FNA) is either non-diagnostic or equivocal.
To treat benign and malignant thyroid tumors.
To alleviate pressure symptoms or respiratory difficulties associated with a benign or malignant process.
To remove an unsightly goiter (Figure 9).
To remove large substernal goiters, especially when they cause respiratory difficulties.

Figure 9a. Large goiters are prevalent in areas of iodine deficiency. A. A woman from Switzerland operated upon by Dr. Theodor Kocher (From Kocher (3)).

Figure 9b. Large goiters are prevalent in areas of iodine deficiency. B. One hundred years later, large goiters still occur in many parts of the world, as demonstrated in this woman from a mountainous region of Vietnam, 1970.

Large goiters are prevalent in areas of iodine deficiency. B. One hundred years later, large goiters still occur in many parts of the world, as demonstrated in this woman from a mountainous region of Vietnam, 1970.

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