What are the postoperative complications of thyroid surgery?

Sep 15, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Ziqi

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, complications that may occur after thyroid surgery mainly include recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, superior laryngeal nerve injury, hypoparathyroidism, postoperative bleeding, and wound infection. Patients are advised to closely monitor their symptoms after surgery and promptly inform medical staff if any abnormalities occur. Additionally, patients should avoid severe coughing and excessive neck movement after surgery to reduce wound tension.

Generally, complications that may occur after thyroid surgery include recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, superior laryngeal nerve injury, hypoparathyroidism, postoperative bleeding, wound infection, etc. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury: The recurrent laryngeal nerve is located adjacent to the thyroid gland. During surgery, traction, clamping, or severing of the nerve may cause injury. Unilateral injury usually presents as hoarseness, difficulty speaking, and lowered voice pitch. Bilateral injury may lead to difficulty breathing.

2. Superior laryngeal nerve injury: This nerve divides into internal and external branches. Injury to the external branch can cause cricothyroid muscle paralysis, resulting in vocal cord laxity and lowered voice pitch. Injury to the internal branch reduces mucosal sensation in the throat, leading to coughing while swallowing, especially noticeable when consuming liquids.

3. Hypoparathyroidism: The parathyroid glands are often attached to the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. Accidental removal or disruption of blood supply during surgery may cause hypoparathyroidism. Patients may develop hypocalcemia, presenting as hand and foot spasms, facial numbness, perioral tingling, and, in severe cases, muscle cramps.

4. Postoperative bleeding: The first 24 hours after surgery are the high-risk period for bleeding, often due to incomplete hemostasis at the surgical site or dislodgement of ligatures. Minor bleeding may manifest as wound oozing, while significant bleeding can compress the trachea, causing difficulty breathing and neck swelling.

5. Wound infection: Infection may occur if postoperative wound care is inadequate or the patient has a weakened immune system. Early signs include redness, swelling, pain at the incision site, and fever; later stages may involve purulent discharge.

Patients are advised to closely monitor their symptoms after surgery and promptly report any abnormalities to medical staff. Postoperatively, patients should avoid severe coughing and excessive neck movements to reduce wound tension. Additionally, maintaining wound cleanliness and dryness, along with enhanced nutritional intake, is important for wound healing and overall recovery.

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How is hypothyroidism caused?

Hypothyroidism generally refers to thyroid dysfunction. Under normal circumstances, hypothyroidism may be caused by insufficient iodine intake, slowed metabolism due to aging, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, postoperative effects of thyroid surgery, pituitary tumors, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding excessive fatigue are advised.

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Why Do People Develop Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism generally refers to thyroid dysfunction. Under normal circumstances, hypothyroidism may be caused by long-term iodine deficiency, age-related decline in thyroid function, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid surgery damage, pituitary tumor compression, or other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a physician.

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What are the causes of hypothyroidism, and how is it treated?

In general, the main causes of hypothyroidism include aging, abnormal iodine intake, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid surgery, and radioactive iodine therapy. If discomfort symptoms occur, general treatment, medication, or surgical treatment can be selected according to the specific situation. In daily life, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and ensure adequate intake of proteins and vitamins.

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What are the causes of hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism usually refers to an underactive thyroid. In general, hypothyroidism may be caused by aging, abnormal iodine intake, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, postoperative effects of thyroid surgery, and other factors. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. A balanced diet with adequate protein intake is also important in daily life.