In most cases, thyroid surgery is performed in a hospital while the patient is under general anesthesia. This means that the patient is not conscious and does not experience pain. The physician makes an incision (typically several inches long) in the front of a patient’s neck and removes part or all of the thyroid gland.

The amount of thyroid removed depends upon the specific procedure that is being performed. In some cases, the physician will obtain a sample of thyroid that will be instantly analyzed with a microscope. This can help the physician determine whether or not additional thyroid tissue should be removed.

The amount of time needed to complete thyroid surgery varies depending on the nature of the procedure. In some cases, it can take up to two or three hours to complete.

Surgeons have developed minimally invasive techniques that may be suitable for some patients. These methods feature smaller incisions and faster recoveries. One such technique involves use of an ultrasonic scalpel guided by a miniature video camera that is built into the instrument. However, some conditions, such as large goiters, rule out use of these techniques.