The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. It produces hormones—primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)—that regulate the body's metabolism, influencing heart rate, body temperature, weight, energy levels, and overall growth and development
Surgical intervention may be recommended for various thyroid-related conditions, including:
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Thyroid Cancer: Removal of part or all of the thyroid gland may be necessary if cancer is diagnosed or suspected.
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Benign Nodules: Large or symptomatic nodules causing discomfort, difficulty swallowing, or breathing may require surgical removal.
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Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid conditions that do not respond to medication or radioactive iodine therapy.
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Goitre: An enlarged thyroid gland that may cause cosmetic concerns or obstructive symptoms.​
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Toxic Nodules: Thyroid nodules that produce excess thyroid hormone leading to hyperthyroidism
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Graves | Hashimoto's | Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases
Depending on the condition and extent of disease, different surgical approaches may be considered:
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Hemithyroidectomy: Removal of one lobe of the thyroid gland.
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Total Thyroidectomy: Complete removal of the thyroid gland.
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Isthmusectomy: Removal of the central part of the thyroid gland.
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Fine Needle Biopsy (FNA): To obtain a tissue sample from the nodule for examination.
The specific procedure recommended will be based on individual assessment and diagnostic findings.
Thyroid surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia. The procedure involves making an incision in the neck to access the thyroid gland. The size and location of the incision depend on the type of surgery being performed and the patient's anatomy.
Dr Hazel Serrao-Brown employs the latest minimally invasive techniques resulting in smaller incisions and potentially faster recovery times
While thyroid surgery is generally safe, as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks, including:
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Voice Changes: Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the vocal cords, can lead to hoarseness or voice changes - less than 0.5%
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Hypoparathyroidism: Changes to the parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium levels, can result in low calcium levels - <2%
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Infection: As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection - <1%
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Scarring: Although efforts are made to minimise scarring, some patients may experience visible scars - rare
It's important to discuss these risks with Dr Hazel Serrao-Brown to understand how they apply to your specific situation.
If the entire thyroid gland is removed, lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy will be required to maintain normal metabolic function. This involves taking synthetic thyroid hormone daily to replace the hormones the thyroid would normally produce.
Patients who have had partial thyroid removal may not require hormone replacement, but this will be determined based on individual thyroid function tests.
Post-operative care is crucial for a smooth recovery. Patients are typically monitored for a short period following surgery and may be discharged after the overnight stay, depending on the procedure and individual recovery.
Follow-up appointments with Dr Hazel Serrao-Brown will be scheduled to monitor healing, assess thyroid function, and adjust any necessary hormone replacement therapy
These are common and typically improve within days to weeks:
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Mild neck pain or stiffness
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Bruising or swelling around the incision
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Sore throat or hoarseness from the breathing tube
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Fatigue – common while your body adjusts, especially if starting thyroid hormone replacement
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Mild difficulty swallowing solids or feeling of “tightness” in the neck
These symptoms should gradually improve. If they worsen or persist beyond 1–2 weeks, notify Dr Hazel Serrao-Brown.
All appointments are managed through the Liangyi General Surgery Rooms Deakin ACT
(02) 6282 1200