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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are the risks and complications of a thyroidectomy?

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  • A/Prof Anthony Glover

    Endocrine Surgeon

    A/Prof Anthony Glover is an experienced Endocrine Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist who specialises in treating people with thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal diseases. He is recognised … View Profile

    Thyroidectomy is a safe operation, and most people can go home the next day after surgery. Potential risks include:

    • Post-operative bleeding or haemorrhage, which may cause your throat to swell and make it hard to breathe. This usually requires a second operation to address.

    • Damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing vocal cord palsy, which can be temporary (with function typically returning within weeks to months) or permanent. Vocal cord palsy can cause a hoarse voice and difficulties swallowing.

    • Damage to the parathyroid glands, causing low calcium levels (hypoparathyroidism), which can also be temporary or permanent and requires calcium tablets for treatment.

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