Thyroid Surgery

Thyroidectomy

Thyroidectomy (thyroid surgery) removes all or part of the thyroid gland to treat nodules/tumors (cancerous or benign), hyperthyroidism, or a goiter (swelling).
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Key Information

A thyroidectomy is an inpatient surgical procedure requiring a one-night hospital stay, performed under general anaesthesia (taking approximately 60 to 90 minutes to remove part or all of the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland at the front of the neck.
The procedure is recommended to treat thyroid nodules, confirmed thyroid cancer, a large goitre causing breathing or swallowing difficulties, or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) that has failed other treatments.
A small incision is made in the lower neck, where the surgeon carefully isolates the gland while protecting the vocal cord nerves and the parathyroid glands (which regulate the body's calcium levels).
Depending on the pathology, surgeons perform either a partial thyroidectomy (removing one lobe) or a total thyroidectomy (removing the entire gland); patients who undergo a total thyroidectomy will require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Recovery usually allows a return to routine activities within 1 to 2 weeks, and patients must monitor for symptoms of low calcium—such as tingling around the lips, hands, or feet—which can occur if the parathyroid glands are temporarily affected.

About Thyroidectomy

A thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck that produces hormones responsible for regulating metabolism, energy levels and many essential bodily functions.

Thyroidectomy may be recommended for a variety of thyroid conditions, including thyroid nodules, goitre, overactive thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism) and thyroid cancer. Depending on the underlying condition, either part of the gland (partial thyroidectomy) or the entire gland (total thyroidectomy) may be removed.

Procedure Details

Operating Time: Approximately 60-90 minutes
Anaesthesia: General anaesthesia
Setting: Inpatient procedure

Who May Benefit?

A thyroidectomy may be recommended for patients with:

  • Thyroid nodules that are suspicious for cancer
  • Confirmed thyroid cancer
  • A large goitre causing pressure on the airway or oesophagus
  • Difficulty swallowing due to thyroid enlargement
  • Hyperthyroidism that has not responded to other treatments
  • Thyroid nodules producing excessive thyroid hormone
  • Cosmetic concerns related to a significantly enlarged thyroid gland

A thorough assessment, including blood tests, imaging and sometimes a biopsy, is usually performed before surgery is recommended.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.

A small incision is made in the lower part of the neck to access the thyroid gland. The surgeon carefully identifies and protects important surrounding structures, including the vocal cord nerves and the parathyroid glands, which help regulate calcium levels in the body.

Depending on the reason for surgery, either one lobe of the thyroid (partial thyroidectomy) or the entire gland (total thyroidectomy) is removed. In cases of thyroid cancer, nearby lymph nodes may also be assessed or removed if necessary.

Once the procedure is completed, the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures or surgical adhesive. Most patients spend one night in hospital for monitoring before returning home.

Potential benefits of thyroidectomy include:

  • Definitive treatment of thyroid cancer
  • Removal of suspicious thyroid nodules
  • Relief of pressure symptoms affecting breathing or swallowing
  • Treatment of overactive thyroid disease
  • Prevention of further growth of thyroid enlargement
  • Improved quality of life and symptom control

For many patients, surgery provides a long-term solution to thyroid-related conditions.

Thyroidectomy is generally a safe and commonly performed procedure. However, as with all surgery, there are potential risks.

These may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Temporary swelling or discomfort
  • Temporary hoarseness or voice changes
  • Injury to the nerves controlling the vocal cords
  • Low calcium levels due to temporary or permanent effects on the parathyroid glands
  • Scar formation
  • Need for lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy after total thyroidectomy

Serious complications are uncommon, particularly when surgery is performed by experienced surgeons.

Most patients experience mild discomfort and tightness around the incision site during the first few days following surgery.

Patients are generally advised to:

  • Keep the wound clean and dry
  • Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for one to two weeks
  • Attend scheduled follow-up appointments
  • Take prescribed medications as directed
  • Monitor for symptoms of low calcium levels, such as tingling around the lips or in the hands and feet

Most people return to office-based work and routine activities within one to two weeks, although recovery may vary depending on the extent of surgery performed.

Patients who have undergone a total thyroidectomy will usually require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:

  • Increasing neck swelling
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Persistent or worsening hoarseness
  • Fever or signs of infection
  • Numbness or tingling around the lips, hands or feet
  • Any unexpected or concerning symptoms following surgery

Prompt medical assessment can help identify and manage any complications during recovery.

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Sub-procedures

The Thyroidectomy involves possible sub-procedures. To read more about the applicable sub-procedure(s), please read below.

Doctors performing Thyroidectomy

All procedures at GMS Cyprus are performed by internationally recognized surgeons from Israel, the EU, and the US. Each selected for their exceptional qualifications, surgical expertise, and commitment to patient care.

Our doctors are leaders in their fields, with extensive experience in advanced techniques and consistently high success rates. They work closely with our medical board and patient support team to ensure each treatment is safe, effective, and tailored to the individual.

The GMS Cyprus Promise

We are committed to providing every patient with access to world-class surgeons, personalized care, and unwavering support throughout their medical journey.

We carefully select our surgeons based on international standards, clinical excellence, and patient outcomes. We believe that medical travel should be stress-free, transparent, and guided by people who genuinely care. Our promise is to treat you with dignity, protect your privacy, and give you peace of mind every step of the way.

How it works

Step 1
Submit a consultation request
Fill out a short form and let us know your medical concern. A coordinator will contact you within 48 hours.
Step 2
Share Your Medical History
Send your relevant documents (scans, reports, etc.). We’ll help you prepare them and handle translation if needed.
Step 3
Receive your medical proposal
Receive a detailed proposal, including surgeon profile, recommended treatment, estimated costs, and recovery plan.
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Testimonials

Ilanit Boker

Ilanit Boker

I happily recommend the services of the GMS team. I needed a unique procedure which is not performed in Israel and I turned to them. 

Over a telephone conversation with GMS representative Roy, I felt caring attention and confidence that he would help in everything. He accompanied us throughout the entire process, before the flight and even after. 

In addition to Roy, we would like to sincerely thank Oriya, our allocated Israeli speaking patient coordinator of the company in Cyprus. 

Even before our departure, Oriya was in touch with us helping with any issues and made sure that we arrived fully prepared – taking into account the smallest details; even to the point of finding out our food preferences, and despite the late hour of our arrival at the hotel, she ensured an exquisite meal was waiting for us in the room. Oriya greeted us upon arrival and truly made us feel like we were her personal guests. She accompanied us throughout the entire day of the operation – attentively, with endless care and continued patience.

I felt like I had a good friend with me in the hospital. This kind of treatment doesn’t happen very often… At the end of the day we parted, hugging each other, and Oriya gave recommendations on where to go and what to do in the time remaining before returning home.

I just don’t have enough words to thank GMS and Oriya for everything. I can only recommend with a reassurance that those who need it should use their services.

Almog Brand

Almog Brand

When I was looking for information about palm surgery, I found many recommendations about Dr. Amir Oron. After a consultation with Dr. Amir, I was surprised to learn that my health insurance does not guarantee that he will be the surgeon to perform the procedure.

That is when I contacted GMS, who explained how I could have the surgery performed by the physician of my choice – which gave me peace of mind. It is very important for me to share my experience, as the service I received through GMS exceeded any similar experience in Israel: From the beginning I was assigned a GMS representative from Israel, who explained in detail what my experience would be and answered all my questions about the operation and the treatment process. (Thanks, Roy!)

All I had to do was fill out the application form. GMS representatives took care of everything themselves!

They contacted the insurance company on my behalf and even had them check the status of the application until the financial commitment for the surgery was received. We agreed with on the surgical date, booked the flights at a convenient time for me, and also dealt with the hotel reservation. The GMS staff even reviewed the menu and took any dietary restrictions into consideration on my behalf.

We were picked up from the airport in Larnaca, Cyprus where we met the wonderful Oria, who accompanied us throughout the entire visit and took care of every detail; from registration to preparation for the operation.

This is essentially a VIP service that made the entire experience relaxed and stress-free.
The assigned coordinators continued caring after my return to Israel. They were interested in my recuperation post-operatively and also ensured all financial matters were dealt with; all this, by the way, without any commissions or payouts on my part, but directly with my insurance.
In a word – an amazing experience!
In short – I recommend it!

Thank to GMS, thank you Roy, thank you Uriah and thank you Dr. Oron.

Nirit Shortz-Raphael

Nirit Shortz-Raphael

I do not even know where to start!!
Overall, the service exceeded all my expectations!

Roy – thank you for your patience, quick responses (minutes!), availability, caring and clear explanations! You are inimitable! Oriya – you are amazing! Thank you for every smile, hug, help, guidance, explanation… really! You are simply amazing!

Every time I was asked by friends and family about the surgery, I immediately started talking about your amazing service! I felt warmth and love, and everyone who was with me felt the same!
We never stop talking about you, and really, only good things!

You have entered our hearts!
Thank you very much for everything! I hope to see you in the future, under different circumstances.

Nadav Ben-Ezer

Nadav Ben-Ezer

When one thinks of “Medical Operation” overseas, the last thing that comes to mind is a “Great Experience”, but this is exactly what I have experienced, going through a prostate removal procedure via GMS Cyprus. With their professional and compassionate approach, the GMS Cyprus team provides to the confused and worried patient a complete transparent VIP envelop, which takes care of all the logistics involved in “Medical Tourism” for the patient and their escort, as well as assembling a world class international medical team and medical facilities suitable to treat the medical diagnosis at hand.

From the first time the medical situation was diagnosed, and the first contact was made, the GMS team was there to remove the hassle and understand my concerns and worries about the medical issue and being far from home, and they handled every detail of the logistics of travel, insurance company requirements and medical preparations. From first arrival at the luxurious hotel, assigned to the first night and for my personal escort, the GMS management, Udi and Clair, has treated me as family away from home and personally came to greet me and attend firsthand to all my needs and requests. To top it all, they assigned their own personal escort, the wonderful Aia, which was available 24/7 and door to door to handle any need and detail and helped interface with the local hospital team.

I want also to recommend the choice of the hospital at Limassol, which is modern and clean, and of course GMS team have in advance reserved a private and spacious room and nominated a local doctor, which was familiar with my case and participated in the treatment and which came often to check my condition and parameters.

To summarize, I would not go so far as to wish such treatment to anybody, but if you must go through the medical procedure, the VIP treatment provided by GMS is a legitimate alternative, combining easy logistics, professional medical treatment by your own doctor, modern hospital, relaxed overseas experience and personal compassionate escorting to ease and sweeten the experience.

Dorit

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