Postoperative Complications of Surgery on the Thyroid Gland
Author(s): Gopalsamy Santhanam Prabudoss*
Abstract
Thyroid cancer incidence is increasing, and with it, an increase in total thyroidectomy. There are limited studies comparing outcomes in total thyroidectomy performed in the inpatient versus outpatient setting. Major postoperative complications of thyroid surgeries include wound infection, hematoma/haemorrhage causing airway compromise, hypocalcaemia, recurrent or superior laryngeal nerve injury, and thyroid storm. In this study that was conducted in our hospital during the mentioned period, the clinical presentations, surgical procedures and post-operative complications were noted, analysed and compared with various standard studies. Thyroid disorders are common in females. No age group is exempted from thyroid disorders. However thyroid disorders are common in middle age group. Most common clinical presentation is asymptomatic solitary nodule of thyroid (40%). Incidence of malignancy is 10. Thyroid malignancy can present as enlarged neck nodes without thyromegaly. Post op IDL is useful to assess the vocal cord status especially in-patient who develop hoarseness/change in voice following surgery. Incidence of remnant laryngeal nerve paralysis following thyroid surgery found to be high in cases of thyroiditis 8 s malignancy