Introduction
Operation Notes for Thyroidectomy: A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the partial or total removal of the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck. This surgery is performed to treat a number of thyroid diseases, including thyroid cancer, goiter (an enlarged thyroid), or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). The extent of the thyroidectomy depends on the reason for the surgery.
Date: [Current Date]
Patient: [Patient’s Name]
Surgeon: [Surgeon’s Name]
Procedure: Total Thyroidectomy (Specify if it is a subtotal or total thyroidectomy)
Procedure
- Positioning:
- The patient was placed in the supine position with the neck extended.
- Skin Preparation:
- The neck was prepared and draped in a sterile fashion.
- Incision:
- A transverse collar incision was made in the skin crease of the neck.
- Dissection:
- Subplatysmal flaps were raised. The strap muscles were identified and retracted laterally to expose the thyroid gland.
- Thyroid Removal:
- The thyroid gland was mobilized, and the middle thyroid veins were ligated and divided. The superior and inferior thyroid arteries were identified, ligated, and divided. Extreme care was taken to identify and preserve the recurrent laryngeal nerves and parathyroid glands. The isthmus was divided, and the thyroid gland was removed.
- Hemostasis:
- Hemostasis was checked and confirmed. A drain may have been placed, depending on surgeon preference and intraoperative findings.
- Closure:
- The strap muscles were reapproximated in the midline, and the platysma and skin were closed with absorbable sutures. The wound was dressed appropriately.
Postoperative Plan: [As Suggested by Surgeon]
