Doctors at Mumbai’s BMC-run Sion Hospital successfully removed an enormous thyroid gland weighing 2.55 kg from an elderly woman who had been struggling to breathe and eat properly for several years due to the condition.
The patient suffered from hyperthyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones. Her symptoms began nearly 20 years ago, shortly after the death of her husband. However, she concealed the growing gland—known as multinodular goitre—using her saree or dupatta, delaying treatment out of fear of surgery.
By the time she sought help, the goitre had grown to an alarming size of 27 x 20 cm, severely restricting her ability to swallow or breathe. The surgery was performed on December 5 by a team led by Dr. Ranjeet Kamble, Associate Professor at Sion Hospital.
As reported by TOI, the procedure posed significant challenges due to the size of the gland and its impact on surrounding structures. Dr. Aparna Nerurkar, Senior Anesthetist, had to carefully intubate the patient as her oversized thyroid had narrowed her windpipe. Surgeons navigated displaced critical blood vessels, nerves, and the parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium levels in the body, ensuring no major damage occurred.
Despite the risks, the entire thyroid gland was successfully removed. Dr. Mohan Joshi, Dean of Sion Hospital, highlighted the rarity of the case, noting it was the second-largest thyroid gland removed in India. The largest, weighing 2.9 kg, was excised by a team at AIIMS-Delhi.
Post-surgery, the patient was shifted to the ICU for observation. Her recovery has been described as “extraordinary.” Within hours, she was able to breathe unassisted and eat without a feeding tube for the first time in years. She is expected to stay in the hospital for three to four days before being discharged.
As the thyroid gland was entirely removed, the patient will require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy to maintain normal metabolism.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) IV (2015-2016), 2.2% of women and 0.5% of men aged 15-49 in India reported having a goitre or thyroid disorder, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of such conditions.