Thyroid Surgery | Mediclinic - Abu Dhabi

A thyroid nodule refers to an abnormal growth in the thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck. Thyroid nodules are often benign, but they may cause physical or cosmetic issues for some individuals.

Symptoms of Thyroid Nodules

Many thyroid nodules do not cause symptoms and are often discovered during routine checkups. However, when symptomatic, they may cause:

• Pain or discomfort in the neck
• Breathing difficulties (dyspnea)
• Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)
• Noticeable swelling or a lump in the neck

Our team at Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital uses the most advanced diagnostic tools to ensure accurate detection and management of thyroid nodules.

Investigations and Diagnosis

For every thyroid nodule, a thorough diagnostic evaluation is conducted. This includes:

• Ultrasound Imaging: A key tool for assessing the structure, size, and characteristics of thyroid nodules.
• Thyroid Function Tests: Blood tests such as Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Free Thyroxine (FT4) are used to evaluate thyroid gland function.

If the ultrasound indicates suspicious features or new criteria for concern, a Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) biopsy is recommended.

FNA is a minimally invasive procedure to sample cells from the thyroid nodule, performed under ultrasound guidance to ensure precision. At Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital, we perform this biopsy using local anaesthesia. While the procedure may cause mild discomfort, it is essential for accurate diagnosis without causing any spread of cancer cells.

Microscopic Adequacy for 100% Accuracy

A unique aspect of our service is that we offer microscopic adequacy for FNA biopsies, which is rarely available in other centers. This advanced technique allows us to check the cell count immediately during the procedure, ensuring 100% accuracy in our biopsy results, giving our patients the highest level of diagnostic confidence.

When the FNA biopsy confirms that the thyroid nodule is benign, management options depend on the size and symptoms.

• Small and Asymptomatic Nodules: These nodules are generally monitored with follow-up ultrasounds over time.
• Large or Symptomatic Nodules: If the nodule is causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, or if it grows over time, surgery may be considered. Surgical options include:
  • Hemithyroidectomy: Removal of one lobe of the thyroid
  • Lobectomy: Partial removal of the thyroid gland
  • Total Thyroidectomy: Complete removal of the thyroid gland

Ablation Techniques for Benign Nodules

At Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital, we offer cutting-edge treatment options for benign thyroid nodules, including radiofrequency, laser and microwave ablation. These advanced techniques are minimally invasive, performed under local anaesthesia, and do not require an incision. They provide a modern alternative to surgery, effectively shrinking benign nodules while minimising recovery time. Highlighting these techniques ensures that patients receive the most advanced care available.

For patients with suspected or confirmed thyroid cancer, surgery is the primary treatment.

Indications for Thyroid Surgery

Surgical intervention is recommended for:

• Benign Nodules Causing Symptoms: When benign nodules cause significant symptoms.
• Thyroid Cancer Confirmed by Biopsy: Surgery is essential to remove cancerous tissue.

For nodules smaller than 4cm with no lymph node involvement, a lobectomy or total thyroidectomy may be performed. For larger nodules or cases with lymph node involvement, total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection is required.

At Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital, we specialise in all types of thyroid surgery, using state-of-the-art techniques to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients. Our experienced surgeons perform:

• Lobectomies and total thyroidectomies
• Neck dissection for lymph node removal in cases of cancer
• Minimally invasive procedures, reducing recovery time and scarring

We also utilise intraoperative nerve monitoring during surgery, which reduces the risk of injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, a vital nerve for vocal cord function.

Pre-Surgery Preparation
Patients undergo thorough preoperative assessments, including:

• General laboratory tests
• Thyroid function tests
• Vocal cord studies
• Anesthesia assessments

Post-Surgery Recovery
After thyroid surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for one night. Most patients can walk and eat normally the next day, with a recovery time of about one week.

Possible Complications
While rare, potential complications include:

• Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, leading to voice changes (1-3%)
• Parathyroid gland injury, resulting in low calcium levels (1-3%)

For benign thyroid conditions, surgical outcomes are excellent, with significant symptom relief. For thyroid cancer, surgery is highly effective, often curing the disease without requiring additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

If the entire thyroid gland is removed, patients will require lifelong hormone replacement therapy to maintain normal thyroid function. This therapy is well tolerated with no side effects. Patients undergoing partial removal (lobectomy) generally do not require hormone replacement.

At Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital, we offer a comprehensive approach to thyroid care, combining modern technology with personalised treatment plans. Our services include:

• Ultrasound-guided FNA biopsies with microscopic adequacy, ensuring 100% accuracy.
• Advanced ablation techniques for benign nodules, including radiofrequency, laser, and microwave ablation.
• Minimally invasive thyroid surgeries, reducing recovery time and complications.
• Multidisciplinary care: all cases are discussed in a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) setting to develop the most appropriate and effective management plan.