What is the traditional open surgery for thyroid cancer

Traditional open surgery for thyroid cancer generally refers to radical thyroidectomy. This surgery mainly treats thyroid cancer by removing the affected thyroid gland and cervical lymph nodes, and is currently one of the main methods for treating thyroid cancer in clinical practice.

1. Indications: For differentiated thyroid cancer, such as papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma, etc., if the tumor is small and there is no distant metastasis, radical thyroid cancer surgery can be performed. However, for undifferentiated thyroid cancer or medullary carcinoma, this surgery is not recommended;

2. Surgical steps: First, the patient needs to be given general anesthesia, and then the diseased thyroid tissue and surrounding lymph nodes are removed through a midline incision in the front of the neck, and a pathological examination is performed. At the same time, part of the parathyroid gland and recurrent laryngeal nerve need to be removed to prevent hoarseness after the operation. Finally, the wound can be sutured;

3. Note: Since this operation is an invasive procedure, bleeding and infection may occur after the operation. Therefore, patients need to pay attention to the cleanliness of the wound area and avoid getting it wet to avoid infection. At the same time, they should also pay attention to a light diet and avoid eating spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers and peppercorns to avoid affecting wound healing. Patients also need to go to the hospital for regular checkups to understand their physical recovery.

Radical thyroidectomy is a common treatment method, but whether it is suitable for the patient depends on the patient's condition. If you suspect you have thyroid cancer, it is recommended that you seek medical attention in a timely manner, complete relevant examinations, and actively cooperate with the doctor for treatment.