ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the general examination for signs of thyroid disease, procedure for hemithyroidectomy and the main complications of thyroidectomy. It describes the arterial blood supply of the thyroid gland. Examination of the patient includes examination of the neck and a general examination for signs of thyroid disease in the hands, eyes and cardiovascular system. Follicular cells may be present from either an adenoma. Therefore a right hemithyroidectomy would be performed to remove the lesion and exclude malignancy. The inferior and middle thyroid veins are ligated and divided. The inferior thyroid artery is identified and ligated in continuity as inferiorly as possible. The parathyroid glands should be identified and preserved if possible. The superior thyroid vascular pedicle is ligated and divided, and the thyroid lobe is completely mobilised and excised. Injury to a single recurrent laryngeal nerve results in paralysis of the vocal cord, causing a hoarse voice. The damage is normally a neuropraxia, which will recover within 3–6 months.
