Which statement describes subtotal thyroidectomy?

Which statement describes subtotal thyroidectomy?

• A. A small part of the gland is left intact.
• B. The entire thyroid gland is removed.
• C. One parathyroid gland is removed also.
• D. A portion of the thyroid is removed with the parathyroids.

Answer: (A)

Subtotal thyroidectomy means removing most of the thyroid tissue while leaving a small portion intact to preserve some endogenous thyroid hormone production. This approach reduces the chance of lifelong hypothyroidism by maintaining a little functional thyroid tissue. It typically aims to spare the parathyroid glands as well, since removing them—or removing the thyroid together with parathyroids—would describe a different, more extensive procedure and increase the risk of hypocalcemia.

Subtotal thyroidectomy means removing most of the thyroid tissue while leaving a small portion intact to preserve some endogenous thyroid hormone production. This approach reduces the chance of lifelong hypothyroidism by maintaining a little functional thyroid tissue. It typically aims to spare the parathyroid glands as well, since removing them—or removing the thyroid together with parathyroids—would describe a different, more extensive procedure and increase the risk of hypocalcemia.