Thyroidectomy is the medical term for what we commonly call thyroid surgery. Surgeons may remove a section or the entire thyroid gland using this surgery, which is also a good solution for thyroid cancer.
Whether for cancer, goiter, nodules, or hyperthyroidism, thyroid surgery is a routine, effective, and usually safe treatment. Meet one of the most trusted surgeons for successful thyroid surgery in Siliguri Dr. Sourav Dhar.
Overview of Thyroidectomy
Your thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped structure in your neck, can be surgically removed entirely (total thyroidectomy) or partially (partial thyroidectomy). Your anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia before surgery in order to relax your muscles, avoid pain, and induce sleep.
For the treatment, a medical team will insert a breathing tube down your neck. Based on what suits your health situation, your surgeon may make a standard incision in your neck, or a smaller incision with a minimally invasive approach, or perform robot-assisted surgery.
Stiffness and Neck Pain
Post-thyroid surgery, you may feel neck pain or stiffness, which may stay for a few weeks or months. Generally, this discomfort should go away with time, but if you notice no improvement over time, consult your doctor.
Stiffness and soreness are common side effects following this surgery. Besides these, shoulder pain, mild choking sensation, and neck pressure are common. It may be simpler to continue moving your neck after surgery if you take pain medication (prescription meds only).
Hematoma and Bleeding
Airway constriction during thyroid surgery can cause bleeding, which is rare but potentially risky.A post-thyroidectomy hematoma can lead to complete blockage airway, and the risk is between 0.1% and 1.1%. To remove the hematoma and stop the bleeding, a second procedure is necessary right away.
Difficulty Swallowing
Patients having thyroidectomy may have dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and hoarseness as side effects. These problems can arise even following a simple surgical operation; however, they are typically associated with dysfunction of the superior and inferior laryngeal nerves. These problems often resolve on their own.
Hoarseness
A postoperative side effect of thyroidectomy can be hoarseness, which is mostly a result of injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). This side effect generally lasts for two weeks after thyroid surgery. After the first week, you’ll notice improvement, but if you still feel too exhausted to talk, see your doctor without delay. Talk to the leading consultant surgeon for thyroid surgery in Siliguri City.
Seroma Formation
It’s an accumulation of fluid at the surgical site, which may resemble an infection or hematoma and might happen days after the procedure.Seromas can develop immediately following thyroid surgery or occasionally weeks later, and are typically located close to the site of a surgical incision. According to reports, seroma happens in 1% to 6% of instances following thyroidectomy.
Keloids and Scars
Keloids may develop following thyroid surgery. At the site of an injury, they are elevated, thicker patches of scar tissue.Six months following surgery, the ultimate outcome is usually visible, and the scar's appearance gets better with time. Following thyroid surgery, those with a history of keloids—excess scar tissue—may experience scarring. Doctors are there to help heal scars over time.
So, if you’re considering thyroid surgery, understand that there’s no surgery without risks. Stay open to communication and feel free to discuss the side effects of thyroid surgery. If you’re recovering from surgery, make sure you attend all follow-up appointments. You may see the best thyroid doctor in Siliguri for effective outcomes.
