-ectomy, -ectome, -ectomize

Thyroidectomy is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia with an incision in the front of the neck. All or part of the thyroid gland, depending on the particular procedure, is removed.

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism. Some diseases affect the gland by reducing its output of hormones (hypothyroidism), while others cause overproduction of hormones (hyperthyroidism).

Thyroid disorders are more common in older children and adolescents (especially in girls) than in infants. Most thyroid disorders can be treated with medication, but surgery is sometimes required.

A tonsillectomy may be performed in cases of recurrent tonsillitis, or to treat sleep apnea, and some speech disorders.

The tonsils help protect against infections; however, children with large tonsils may have frequent sore throats and ear infections, or have nightly breathing problems. In these cases, surgery to remove the tonsils may be helpful or necessary.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This means your child will be unconscious and pain-free. The surgeon holds the mouth open to expose the tonsils. The tonsils are then cut or burned away. Steps are taken to control bleeding, and the cut heals naturally without stitches.

A tonsillectomy should be considered when tonsillitis attacks are so frequent or severe that they affect a child's general health or interfere with school, hearing, or breathing; however, some physicians believe tonsillectomies are done more often than necessary, so parents should get a second opinion when there is any doubt.

The trigonum vesicae is a smooth triangular area on the interior of the base of the urinary bladder where the mucous membrane is firmly attached to the underlying muscle layer.