What is the difference between unilateral resection and total resection for thyroid cancer

Thyroid cancer is a common endocrine tumor in clinical practice. For patients with thyroid cancer, unilateral resection and total resection each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The appropriate option should be selected after a comprehensive evaluation based on the patient's condition and intraoperative findings.

1. Unilateral incision:

1. Advantages: Both lobes of the thyroid gland can be removed without affecting the contralateral thyroid gland. The contralateral thyroid tissue can be preserved, which meets the needs of patients;

2. Disadvantages: For unilateral thyroid cancer, the contralateral thyroid gland may be affected to a certain extent, which may cause the patient to have breathing and swallowing difficulties;

3. Secondary injury: Since there are recurrent laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal nerve around the thyroid gland, if unilateral thyroid gland is removed, the recurrent laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal nerve may be damaged, causing hoarseness after surgery.

2. Full cut:

1. Advantages: Complete resection can remove all types of thyroid cancer, including the patient's entire thyroid gland and the condition of the neck lymph nodes, which can meet the patient's overall treatment needs;

2. Disadvantages: Since general anesthesia is required, the surgical trauma is relatively large, and endotracheal intubation is required. General anesthesia surgery may cause serious complications, such as aspiration leading to suffocation, and it takes a certain amount of time to recover;

3. Others: Some patients need auxiliary treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgery, and the surgical wound is large and the postoperative recovery is slow.

Patients are advised to go to the hospital for regular checkups after surgery so that doctors can understand the progression of the disease and adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner. At the same time, patients should also pay attention to maintaining a stable mood, avoid excessive tension, and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, such as celery and apples.