Total thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of the entire thyroid gland. This surgery is done for benign goiters, multiple nodules, Graves’ disease and thyroid cancers. When done at a high-volume center such as at Keck Medicine of USC, the risks are low but can include voice hoarseness and hypoparathyroidism. Patients will require thyroid hormone supplements in the form of a daily pill after total thyroidectomy to replace the hormone that their body makes naturally.