There are various types of thyroid operations. They are:

• Biopsy or lumpectomy: It involves removal of a small part of the thyroid gland.
• Lobectomy: Involves removal of half of the thyroid gland
• Subtotal thyroidectomy: In this thyroid gland is removed nearly all leaving a small amount of thyroid tissue on both sides

• Near-total thyroidectomy: In this entire gland is removed except leaving about one gm or cm of thyroid tissue on one side

• Total thyroidectomy, which removes the entire thyroid gland.

Indications for thyroid surgery

• Thyroid nodules.
• Thyroid cancer.
• Thyroid cyst.

• Hyperthyroidism which is not responding to medical treatments.

• Suspected thyroid cancer.

Complications of thyroid surgery

• Bleeding
• Airway obstruction
• Permanent hoarse or weak voice
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Abnormally low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcaemia)
• Injury to the laryngeal nerve