<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"   Question I believe I have a swollen thyroid gland on the side of my neck.  It is a cyst, and has been drained several times but it keeps growing.  I am now thinking of having it removed surgically.  What are the implications of this and how much longer will I be out of action?   Answer I am not certain whether you have a thyroid cyst or a thyroglossal cyst.  Either way, if you are having recurrent problems, you need to discuss the advantages of surgery with a surgeon who regularly operates on the neck.  Blood tests will be done to check whether your thyroid gland is overactive or underactive.  Then you will probably be advised to have the operation under general anaesthetic with an airway tube placed in your windpipe to protect your breathing during surgery.  The skin is then incised over the cyst, which will be cut free of muscle after the blood vessels have been clamped and tied.  The skin is then sutured or clipped.  There are rarely any complications although swelling and pain sometimes occur in the short-term. If the thyroid gland is totally removed, you may require thyroid hormone replacement.  You may require some pain relief for a few days, and be off work for a few weeks.  But, you may expect to make a complete recovery once the wound has healed. Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team  Other Qs &amp;amp;amp; As Can an underactive thyroid exacerbate allergies? Can some vegetables interfere with thyroxine? Confused over thyroid test results Dealing with hair loss caused by thyroid medication Do I have an underactive thyroid? Goitre Grave&amp;#039;s disease How is Cushing&amp;#039;s disease treated? Hypothyroidism and weight gain Hypothyroidism in athletes I have oedema and lowered metabolism which is getting worse I&amp;#039;d like to know more about Cushing&amp;#039;s disease I&amp;#039;m so tired of being tired Iodine for thyroid problem Is hypothyroidism familial? My mum&amp;#039;s got an overactive thyroid and I&amp;#039;m worried My twin sister has an underactive thyroid Overactive thyroid Puzzled about thyroid problems Side effects of hypothyroidism treatment Thyroid medication during pregnancy Vitamin E and thyroxine What are the benefits of iodine treatment? What can go wrong with the thyroid gland? What is hemihypertrophy? What is the link between thyroid problems and miscarriage? Worried about metabolic condition  Last updated 04.05.2011 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/a3969/what-are-the-implications-of-thyroid-surgery/>