Etymed
thyroidectomy
Definition
surgical removal of the thyroid gland
Clinical context
A 45-year-old woman presents with a large multinodular goiter causing compressive symptoms including dysphagia and shortness of breath. She undergoes a total thyroidectomy after preoperative evaluation. Postoperatively, she requires calcium supplementation due to potential parathyroid gland damage during surgery. The pathology report confirms benign nodules but also reveals microscopic foci of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
Mnemonic
Thyroidectomy = Thyroid removed, Thymus affected (remember post-op hypocalcemia from parathyroid injury)