In this Blog, Dr. Manas Tripathy, Best Laparoscopic Surgeon in HSR Layout answer some of the frequently asked questions about Thyroid Surgery.
Q. Which are the thyroid conditions considered for surgical treatment?
A. Some of the thyroid conditions like goiter, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, or thyroid nodule are treated with surgery. Depending upon the severity of the condition and part of the thyroid affected, thyroid surgery – Thyroidectomy (removal of partial or complete thyroid) is considered.
Q. When is the Surgery considered for treating thyroid conditions?
A. Surgery is considered when the patient starts experiencing any of the following situations due to thyroid conditions –
- Obstructed airway
- Difficulty in swallowing food
- Advance cancer stage
- Un-successful medical treatment
Q. How long is the hospital stay after Thyroid surgery?
A. The patient stays in the recovery room following the surgery and is shifted to a normal room depending upon health status. The patient may be asked to stay in the hospital for a day or two and be discharged. Patient resumes the regular work from the next day of the surgery.
Q. When can the patient resume his normal life post-surgery?
A. Patients can resume their normal activities after returning home. Strenuous activities like physical workouts/lifting heavy items/impactful sports etc should be started only after consultation with the surgeon during the review visit.
Q. What are the complications of thyroid surgery?
A. The complications experienced are –
- Hoarseness in voice is experienced temporarily for some days.
- In case of complete thyroid removal, the patient is prescribed thyroid hormone replacement therapy for a lifetime.
- In case parathyroid glands are also removed along with the thyroid then calcium supplements are prescribed to maintain the calcium levels in the body.
Q. How long will the surgical pain last?
A. Like any procedure, the patient will experience discomfort and pain for some hours after thyroid surgery. Analgesics will be prescribed for a few days to overcome the pain during the recovery period.
Q. What preparation should be done by patients for surgery?
A. Patients can do the following preparations for making the experience of the whole process of the surgical treatment a wonderful one.
- Scheduling the surgery after discussing with the family members to ensure their availability and support in all means, during the recovery period.
- Inform the close family friend and office team about the surgery & recovery period.
- Follow the instructions given by the surgeon and nursing staff of the hospital and after discharge in relation to wound care, review visits, and post-surgery follow-up medication.
For further queries consult Dr. Manas Tripathy, Best Laparoscopic Surgeon in HSR Layout , Bangalore.
