The Brain and Spine Institute is made up of experts in the field of neuroscience in order to bring patients the best healthcare in East Tennessee for a full range of neurological diseases and disorders.
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Centers of Excellence
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We provide a comprehensive continuum of cancer services, including prevention, outreach, diagnostic, treatment and support services delivered by our highly skilled staff with compassion and care.
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The Center for Women & Children's Health is a hub for supporting women's and children's individual healthcare needs. The center provides support, research and unmatched patient-centered care.
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Emergency and Trauma Services is the only Level I Trauma Center in the area and serves as the tertiary referral center for medical care in East Tennessee, serving Knox County and 21 surrounding counties.
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The Heart Lung Vascular Institute brings together expertise in clinical care, teaching and research. Patients receive exceptional healthcare combined with patient-centered care.
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Thyroidectomy - series
Normal anatomy
The thyroid gland, a part of the endocrine (hormone) system, plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism.
Indications
Thyroidectomy may be recommended for:
- increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism; thyrotoxicosis)
- decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism) with enlargement(hypertrophy) of the gland
- primary cancer of the thyroid
- enlargement of the thyroid (nontoxic goiter)
Incision
While the patient is deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia), an incision is made in the front of the neck.
Procedure
The thyroid gland is removed. Either one lobe of the thyroid gland, or the entire gland, is removed, depending on the disease process being treated.
Aftercare
The results of thyroid surgery are usually excellent. Monitoring of thyroid hormone production may continue for some months after the operation. Some patients may need to take supplemental thyroid hormone after thyroidectomy.
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