Partial Thyroidectomy (Hemithyroidectomy, Thyroid Lobectomy)

Description
General anesthesia is used. Partial thyroidectomy is the removal of an entire thyroid
lobe and isthmus or a portion of a lobe. The nature of the lesion has almost always
been determined prior to the operation. Nodules are confi ned to a single thyroid
lobe or the isthmus. Most often a certain or suspected diagnosis of malignancy is
the indication for surgery; less often the nodule(s) is either hyperfunctional or is
enlarged and causing obstructive symptoms. The patient is supine with a roll placed
transversely under the scapulae to allow optimal neck extension.