Thyroid Surgery For Goitre  In Singapore

Is your goitre causing discomfort? Consult with a specialist today.

Dr Jesse Hu
Consultant General Surgeon, Breast, Thyroid & Endocrine Surgery

What Is Thyroid Surgery For Goitre?

Also known as thyroidectomy, it’s a medical procedure performed to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. The operation is commonly conducted to treat conditions like goitre—an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. Goitre may result from multiple factors, including iodine deficiency, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer.

Reasons For Doing Thyroid Surgery

Where there is suspicion of thyroid cancer or nodules causing hyperthyroidism, surgery may be recommended. Below are some considerations:

  • Large goitres causing discomfort or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
  • Presence of thyroid nodules causing hyperthyroidism.
  • Suspected or confirmed thyroid cancer.
  • Goitres produce excessive thyroid hormone, leading to hyperthyroidism.

Causes of Goitre

Various factors may cause the thyroid gland to enlarge:

  • Iodine deficiency: Lack of iodine in the diet is the most common global cause of goitre.
  • Thyroid nodules: These can lead to the enlargement of the thyroid gland, forming a goitre.
  • Thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid gland can cause swelling and goitre.
  • Graves’ disease: This autoimmune disorder stimulates the thyroid gland, causing enlargement.
  • Hashimoto’s disease: This is another autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid, leading to inflammation and enlargement.

Diagnosis of Goitre

Goitre is diagnosed through methods that help in determining the cause and severity:

Physical exam

The doctor may feel your neck and have you swallow to check the size of your thyroid.

Hormone test

Blood tests may be conducted to determine the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Antibody test

This can determine if an autoimmune disease is causing the goitre.

Ultrasound

This helps in determining the size and structure of your thyroid.

Biopsy

In some instances, a biopsy may be performed to check for cancer cells.

Types of Goitre

Goitre types vary depending on their causes and characteristics:

Usually caused by iodine deficiency, common in areas where iodine-rich foods are scarce.

This can occur without a known cause, though certain factors such as age, gender, and certain medications can increase risk.

Associated with hyperthyroidism, it causes the thyroid gland to produce excessive hormones.

The thyroid gland enlarges without overproduction of thyroid hormone, usually due to iodine deficiency or thyroid nodules.

Am I Eligible For Thyroid Surgery?

Eligibility is based on the severity of the condition and the patient’s overall health. Your doctor may recommend surgery if you have a large goitre causing discomfort or if there’s a suspicion of cancerous cells. If you have small goitres without any symptoms, or if you have other health issues making surgery risky, your doctor might suggest medication or a watch-and-wait approach.

Thyroid Surgery Explained Briefly

Thyroid surgery usually involves general anaesthesia, where you’re unconscious during the procedure. The surgeon makes an incision at the front of your neck and works through that opening to remove part or all of your thyroid gland. The extent of the thyroid gland removal depends on the reason for surgery. The procedure might also involve the removal of lymph nodes around the thyroid if cancer is present or suspected.

Recovery & Aftercare Guide

Recovery from thyroid surgery generally involves a hospital stay, followed by at-home care.

Hospital stay

You’ll typically be in the hospital overnight for monitoring after surgery.

Pain management

Mild pain is common, which can be managed with prescribed medication.

Stitches or sutures

These will likely be removed in a follow-up appointment about a week after surgery.

Activity

Regular activity can usually be resumed after several weeks, with strenuous activity avoided for a longer period.

Long-term care

If all or a large portion of your thyroid is removed, you’ll need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication for life.

Risks and Complications of Goitre

Thyroid surgery, while generally safe, does carry potential risks and complications, particularly if the entire gland is removed or if there are underlying health conditions. Here are some potential risks associated with this procedure:

  • Infection: As with any surgical procedure, there’s a risk of wound infection, though it’s relatively rare.
  • Bleeding: While uncommon, excessive bleeding during or after the surgery may occur.
  • Voice Changes: Damage to the nerves connected to your vocal cords during surgery can cause hoarseness, voice changes, or even vocal cord paralysis.
  • Hypocalcemia: Parathyroid glands may be damaged or removed during surgery, leading to low calcium levels, causing muscle cramps and numbness.
  • Hypothyroidism: Where all or a large portion of the thyroid is removed, hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones may occur. Lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy may be required.

Cost of Thyroid Surgery for Goitre

The cost of thyroid surgery for goitre can vary widely, depending on several factors such as the complexity of the procedure, the surgeon’s experience, and the geographical location.

Our clinics are under the following

insurance panels

For Singaporeans, Singapore Permanent Residents and Foreigners.
Please speak to our friendly clinic staff about using your insurance plans.

Dr Jesse Hu

Consultant General Surgeon, Breast, Thyroid & Endocrine Surgery

Dr Jesse specialises in managing both benign and malignant breast and thyroid conditions, which also includes breast pain, breast lumps, breastfeeding problems, neck lumps, amongst others.

Her dual expertise in cancer removal and plastic surgery techniques expands the design of individualized treatments, leading to holistic patient outcomes.

Dr Jesse was part of the teaching faculties of both NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, where she teaches and mentors the next generation of medical students and trainee doctors.

  • Surgical training at NUS School of Medicine
  • FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) Edinburgh, UK in 2014
  • Completed 2 Health Manpower Development Program (HMDP) fellowships at Oxford University Hospital, UK in 2016

Dr Jesse is recognized as an authority in breast cancer and thyroid surgery and a sought-after conference speaker.

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    Thyroid Surgery For Goitre In Singapore

    Frequently Asked
    Questions

    Will I have a scar after thyroid surgery?

    Yes, thyroid surgery will leave a scar at the front of your neck. Such scars usually fade over time and become less noticeable.

    What are the risks associated with thyroid surgery?

    While generally safe, thyroid surgery carries potential risks including infection, bleeding, changes in voice, and hypothyroidism if all or a large part of the thyroid is removed.

    Will I need to take medication after thyroid surgery?

    If all or a large portion of your thyroid is removed, you’ll likely need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication to maintain normal body functions.