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Thyroid gland removal - Risks

Alternative Names

Total thyroidectomy; Partial thyroidectomy; Thyroidectomy

Risks:

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

  • Reactions to medications
  • Problems breathing
Risks for any surgery include the following:
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
Additional risks for thyroidectomy include the following:
  • Bleeding and possible airway obstruction
  • Temporary or permanent loss of ability to speak due to paralysis of the vocal chords
  • Inadequate thyroid function (hypothyroidism)
  • Injury to the adjacent parathyroid glands
  • Inadequate level of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia)
  • Reviewed last on: 10/16/2006
  • J.A. Lee, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.