Can thyroid surgery affect breathing?
It is widely accepted that thyroid surgery is not without morbidity. One well-known postoperative complication is respiratory distress.
What are the common complications after thyroid surgery?
The two most common early complications of thyroid surgery are hypocalcemia (20-30%) and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (5-11%).
How long does dysphagia last after thyroidectomy?
The primary treatment modality for thyroid cancer is total thyroidectomy. Swallowing complaints are common after surgery, but patients are generally counseled that symptoms should spontaneously resolve within the immediate 2-week postoperative period.
How long does it take to feel normal after thyroidectomy?
Depending on their job type, most people will need to take 1-2 weeks off work after thyroid surgery. Some patients experience a sensation as though there is a lump in the throat upon swallowing; this is normal and it spontaneously subsides over time.
Is shortness of breath normal after thyroid removal?
Coughing, dyspnea and hoarseness after thyroid surgery are all symptoms of vocal cord motion abnormalities. Patients with dyspnea and respiratory distress should be referred immediately for direct laryngoscopy.
What is the reason for breathing difficulty after thyroid surgery?
Common causes of this complication include compression due to formation of a hematoma, tracheal collapse, laryngeal edema and bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and they should be taken into consideration to ensure prevention and/or timely treatment of dyspnea (1,2).
Is it OK to cough after thyroidectomy?
Sore Throat/Cough This is normal to experience after surgery and will often last up to 5 days after surgery. Lozenges and a softer diet may be helpful until this resolves. You may also feel like you have phlegm in your throat and need to cough. This is due to the irritation of the tube in your windpipe during surgery.
Can a thyroidectomy cause hoarseness six months after surgery?
Less than 1 percent of people having a thyroidectomy will experience damage to either the recurrent laryngeal nerve or the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. 4 If hoarseness persists, especially if it is still present six months after surgery, it’s likely that the recurrent laryngeal nerve was injured.
What to do if you have a sore throat after thyroid surgery?
A Sore Throat. Thyroid surgery is often done under general anesthesia with a breathing tube placed in the windpipe to breathe for you. This can lead to a sore throat and the sensation of a lump (like something is stuck in your throat) with swallowing. Using a throat spray or lozenges can help with the discomfort until you are healed.
How to deal with neck stiffness after thyroid surgery?
Gently tilt your head to the right and then to the left. Rotate both shoulders forward in a circular motion. Slowly raise your arms overhead, and then slowly lower them back down against your body. Most often, neck stiffness lasts for only a few days to a few weeks after surgery.
When to take a week off from work after thyroid surgery?
Most people are advised to take roughly two weeks off from work to recuperate, depending on their occupation. You should not drive as long as you continue to need pain medications, and some surgeons recommend abstaining from driving for the first week after surgery altogether.