What procedure includes the excision of an entire thyroid lobe, part of the opposite lobe and the isthmus?

What procedure includes the excision of an entire thyroid lobe, part of the opposite lobe and the isthmus?

• A. Total thyroidectomy
• B. Thyroid lobectomy - contralateral (opposite side) subtotal
• C. Subtotal thyroidectomy
• D. Parathyroidectomy

Answer: (B)

This question tests thyroid surgery terminology. A lobectomy means removing an entire thyroid lobe. If the procedure removes the whole lobe on one side and also takes out part of the opposite lobe plus the isthmus, the correct description is a thyroid lobectomy with contralateral subtotal removal. In other words, one side is completely removed, while the opposite side and the isthmus are partially removed. This differs from a total thyroidectomy, which would remove both lobes completely along with the isthmus, and from a subtotal thyroidectomy, which implies removing most but not all thyroid tissue without specifying removal of an entire lobe on one side. Parathyroidectomy is the removal of the parathyroid glands, not thyroid tissue, so it does not fit.

This question tests thyroid surgery terminology. A lobectomy means removing an entire thyroid lobe. If the procedure removes the whole lobe on one side and also takes out part of the opposite lobe plus the isthmus, the correct description is a thyroid lobectomy with contralateral subtotal removal. In other words, one side is completely removed, while the opposite side and the isthmus are partially removed.

This differs from a total thyroidectomy, which would remove both lobes completely along with the isthmus, and from a subtotal thyroidectomy, which implies removing most but not all thyroid tissue without specifying removal of an entire lobe on one side. Parathyroidectomy is the removal of the parathyroid glands, not thyroid tissue, so it does not fit.