Reasons for unilateral total thyroidectomy

Thyroid cancer is a malignant tumor that originates from the follicular epithelium or parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. Patients with thyroid cancer, whether unilateral or bilateral, need surgical treatment, and unilateral total resection is a common surgical method. However, whether total resection is possible depends on the condition, the risk of postoperative recurrence, thyroid function requirements, and the patient's wishes.

1. Condition: If a patient has a complete thyroidectomy on one side and a tumor forms on the other thyroid gland, or the patient has cervical lymph node metastasis, a complete thyroidectomy is required;

2. Risk of postoperative recurrence: If the patient has a high risk of postoperative recurrence, such as residual tumor, lymph node metastasis in the thyroid bed, or even distant metastasis, total thyroidectomy is also required;

3. Thyroid function requirements: If the patient is older, has a low basal metabolic rate, has heart disease, diabetes and other diseases, or is in a state of long-term depression or anxiety and cannot tolerate surgery, total thyroidectomy is also required;

4. Patient’s wishes: If the patient is concerned about the greater trauma of the surgery, total thyroidectomy is also required.

In addition, the doctor must also consider factors such as the patient's own physical condition and surgical tolerance to make a comprehensive decision on whether a total resection is needed. Some patients may have better results after surgery and a longer survival time, but some patients may have poorer results after surgery and a shorter survival time. The survival time after thyroid cancer surgery is related to many factors such as the patient's mental state, nutritional status, infection, and postoperative complications. Even for a total resection, thyroid function should be checked regularly after surgery. The doctor will make corresponding adjustments to the patient's condition based on indicators such as thyroid hormone levels and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.