What are the sequelae of total thyroidectomy

The thyroid gland is an important gland in the human body. However, when certain diseases occur, such as simple goiter, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cysts, etc., in order to thoroughly treat it, it is necessary to use surgery to completely remove the thyroid gland. However, after all, it is an important part of the body and will definitely cause some complications. So, what are the sequelae of total thyroidectomy? Let’s take a closer look below.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy

The recurrent laryngeal nerve is very close to the thyroid gland. If it is injured during surgery for thyroid nodules, it may cause paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Unilateral injury may cause changes in speaking voice, while bilateral injury may cause difficulty in exhaling. In severe cases, the patient may even become unable to breathe.

Numbness in the limbs

This is mainly because during thyroid nodule surgery, certain blood vessels are undoubtedly cut off, resulting in disruption of parathyroid blood supply.

Bleeding

During the surgical procedure, if hemostasis is not adequate, bleeding may occur, but if the compensatory strategy is implemented in the shortest possible time, the bleeding can be stopped. If you find sudden difficulty breathing or significant swelling in the neck after the operation, you should tell your doctor immediately. If there is bleeding, you must be treated immediately.

Hypothyroidism

Some patients with thyroid nodules were found to have hypothyroidism after surgery. There are two possible reasons for the onset of hypothyroidism. One is that the thyroid gland is over-resected. The remaining thyroid gland cannot secrete sufficient thyroid hormone. The second is associated with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. These patients have antibodies that violate the thyroid gland. Even if the thyroid gland is not removed in excess, they may still develop hypothyroidism.

Hypocalcemic convulsions

The discovery of hypocalcemic convulsions is due to the mistaken removal of the parathyroid glands behind the thyroid gland, which can lead to hypocalcemic convulsions and manifest as characteristic convulsions of the hands and feet.

Pulling sensation when swallowing, coughing

Even though there is only a linear scar on the neck after thyroid nodule surgery, the actual surgical wound is much larger than this scar. This wound, similar to the incision on the neck, needs to go through normal scar reaction before it can heal. The scar reaction process will contract, pulling the trachea around the wound, causing a pulling sensation when swallowing, and even affecting the trachea and inducing coughing.

The above is an introduction to the sequelae of total thyroidectomy. I hope it will be helpful for patients to understand. Thyroid disease itself causes serious harm to the body. Once sequelae occur, the damage will definitely be doubled. While undergoing treatment, we must pay attention to handling this aspect to avoid causing more serious consequences to our health.