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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Thyroidectomy is generally a safe procedure. But as with any surgery, thyroidectomy carries a risk of complications.

Potential complications include:

  • Bleeding
  • Airway obstruction caused by bleeding
  • Permanent hoarse or weak voice due to nerve damage
  • Damage to the four small glands located behind your thyroid (parathyroid glands), which can lead to hypoparathyroidism, resulting in abnormally low calcium levels in your blood and bones and an increased amount of phosphorus in your blood.
How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Lal G, et al. Thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=50. Accessed July 14, 2011.
  2. Thyroid surgery. American Thyroid Association. http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/ThyroidSurgery.pdf. Accessed July 15, 2011.
  3. Thyroid disorders and surgery. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Thyroid-Disorders.cfm. Accessed July 18, 2011.
  4. Ross DS. Surgery in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 18, 2011.
  5. Tuttle RM. Surgical treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 18, 2011.
  6. Wang TS, et al. Initial and reoperative thyroidectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 18, 2011.
  7. Lee J, et al. Perioperative clinical outcomes after robotic thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma: A multicenter study. Surgical Endoscopy. 2011;25:906.
  8. Kasperbauer JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 14, 2011.
MY00709 Oct. 6, 2011

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