Maxfacts

Thyroid

Treatments for postoperative problems affecting the thyroid (gland in the neck) include:

• If the residual function of the gland is too high or too low, this has to be balanced by medication.
• Postoperative bleeding can compress the underlying windpipe by formation of a haematoma. This needs to be decompressed immediately, usually by removing skin staples or a rapid to remove ‘pull through’ suture.  
• Accidental damage to, or removal of the underlying parathyroid glands necessitates life-long substitution of parathyroid hormone (PTH).
• Damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve leaving a hoarse voice, can be improved by speech and language therapy or else should be seen in an ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinic.
• Minor difficulties in swallowing are best dealt with in line with treatment of postoperative problems affecting the hypopharynx and/or larynx.