The thyroid operation step by step

As a rule, we carry out all preliminary examinations and consultations on an outpatient basis, so that you only need to come to the hospital on the day of the operation itself. A vocal cord check by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist before the operation is also mandatory.

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. After you have arrived on the ward and settled into your room, you will change into theatre clothing and, approx. 30 minutes before the operation, you will be given a tablet that makes you tired and drowsy.

Our nursing staff will take you to the operating theatre, where you will be received and cared for.

After the operation you will be monitored in the recovery room for approx. 1 hour and – once it has been carefully checked that you are well – taken back to the ward. There you will routinely receive pain medication – should this exceptionally not be sufficient, further pain medication can be given to you immediately at any time. Our nurses will support you when you get up for the first time; as a rule, you can move freely again after a few hours. You can eat again by dinner time at the latest.

On the first day after the operation you can shower and, if necessary, the surgical dressing will be changed. In the rare case that a drain was inserted during the operation, it will be removed in the morning. If required, your blood calcium levels and parathyroid hormone (parathormone) will also be measured on this day. As no anti-thrombosis injections are required for most thyroid operations, it is advisable for you to move around as much as possible.

On the second day after the operation, the wound is checked again and the dressing is changed. For this we use a cosmetically favourable, skin-friendly plaster with which you can shower without concern. The plaster can be removed after a few days. As a rule, we can now also discuss with you the results of the microscopic examination of the thyroid tissue removed during the operation. If medically possible, you will then be discharged and your further care will follow (usually by your thyroid specialist).

Of course, we remain available to you at any time after the operation should any surgical problems or questions arise.

Their extensive experience in thyroid surgery enables the surgeons at the Ev. Diakoniekrankenhaus Freiburg to perform demanding and difficult thyroid operations under basic conditions in developing countries as well. Under the auspices of “Operieren in Afrika e. V.”, we have been operating regularly in Burkina Faso for 19 years on patients with advanced thyroid disease.