Complete removal of the thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck, is a common operation, with 72,344 total thyroidectomies performed in the United States in 2011.

Is thyroidectomy common?

Your thyroid gland plays an important role in regulating your body's metabolism and calcium balance. A thyroidectomy is a treatment for a variety of diseases, disorders and conditions of the thyroid gland. A thyroidectomy is a common but major surgery with serious risks and potential complications.

How many Thyroidectomies are performed each year?

In analyzing the case volumes of 4,627 surgeons, researchers found an association between the number of procedures surgeons performed each year and rates of complications. Notably, patients of surgeons who performed fewer than 25 thyroidectomies a year were 1.5 times more likely to experience complications.