How long does thyroid tumor surgery take?

Thyroid tumor surgery generally takes 1 to 3 hours to complete, depending on the size, location, and nature of the tumor, as well as the patient's specific physical condition and surgical method. Common surgical methods include traditional open surgery, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, or robot-assisted surgery, which can lead to different times.

Small benign thyroid tumors are usually removed through laparoscopic surgery, which takes an average of 1 to 2 hours to complete, with minimal trauma and quick recovery. If the tumor is large or there is a malignant lesion, open surgery may be required to ensure complete removal. This type of surgery usually takes 2 to 3 hours, especially when it involves the protection of important surrounding structures (such as the parathyroid glands or recurrent laryngeal nerves). In addition, for malignant thyroid tumors, regional lymph nodes may also need to be cleared, which increases the complexity and time of the operation. The operation time may also vary depending on the experience of the surgeon and the advanced level of hospital equipment.

Small benign thyroid tumors are usually removed through laparoscopic surgery, which takes an average of 1 to 2 hours to complete, with minimal trauma and quick recovery. If the tumor is large or there is a malignant lesion, open surgery may be required to ensure complete removal. This type of surgery usually takes 2 to 3 hours, especially when it involves the protection of important surrounding structures (such as the parathyroid glands or recurrent laryngeal nerves). In addition, for malignant thyroid tumors, regional lymph nodes may also need to be cleared, which increases the complexity and time of the operation. The operation time may also vary depending on the experience of the surgeon and the advanced level of hospital equipment.

After surgery, patients need to pay attention to incision care, infection prevention, and thyroid function recovery. The doctor will decide whether to use thyroid hormone replacement therapy after surgery based on the results of the preoperative examination. At the same time, regular check-ups will be maintained to monitor thyroid function and the risk of tumor recurrence. If there is obvious discomfort (such as hoarseness, neck swelling, etc.), the doctor should be informed in time. Before surgery, the doctor should be informed in detail about the surgical method and risks, and the most suitable plan should be selected according to the patient's condition.