Complications
- Hypothyroidism/Thyroid insufficiency in up to 50% of patients after ten years
- Laryngeal nerve injury in about 1% of patients, in particular the recurrent laryngeal nerve: Unilateral damage results in a hoarse voice. Bilateral damage presents as laryngeal obstruction after surgery and can be a surgical emergency: an emergency tracheostomy may be needed. Recurrent Laryngeal nerve injury may occur during the ligature of the inferior thyroid artery.
- Hypoparathyroidism temporary (transient) in many patients, but permanent in about 1-4% of patients
- Anesthetic complications
- Infection
- Stitch granuloma
- Chyle leak
- Haemorrhage/Hematoma (This may compress the airway, becoming life-threatening.)
- Surgical scar/keloid
- Removal or devascularization of the parathyroids.
- Thyroid storm in operations performed for hyperthyroidism
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