Surgical Management of Graves’ Disease
Surgery to treat Graves’ disease may be recommended if medications fail to control the condition or if there are complications from the hyperthyroidism, such as heart problems. The most common type of surgery is called a thyroidectomy. This surgical procedure involves removing all or part of the thyroid gland. While a thyroidectomy may be successful in controlling hyperthyroidism, it is a major surgery and carries some risks, including bleeding and infection. (11)
Total thyroidectomy
A total thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the entire thyroid gland. The surgery is typically performed to treat thyroid cancer, but may also be used to treat other conditions such as goiters or Graves’ disease. This type of surgery is typically used to treat graves disease when medications are not effective. Total thyroidectomy is a safe and effective treatment for graves disease and can provide relief from symptoms in most cases. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically takes 2-3 hours to complete. Recovery time varies depending on the individual, but most people are able to return to work within 2 weeks.
There may be some risks associated with the surgery, such as damage to the vocal cords or recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Partial thyroidectomy
It is the most common surgery to remove the entire thyroid gland, but a partial thyroidectomy may be an option for some people. A partial thyroidectomy is a surgery to remove only part of the thyroid gland. The surgery is typically recommended for people who have a mild condition or who have graves disease that has only affected part of the thyroid gland.
The surgery is typically performed using general anesthesia. A small perpendicular incision is made in the neck, and the surgeon uses a scalpel to remove the tumor or affected tissue. The surgical wound is then closed with stitches. Most people are able to return home within hours of having a partial thyroidectomy. Recovery time typically ranges from one to two weeks.
This procedure has a shorter recovery time. This procedure may be an option for people with graves’ disease who do not want to have surgery to remove their entire thyroid gland. There are risks and benefits to both surgeries, so it is important to discuss the options with your doctor.