What are the risks associated with thyroid surgery?

The risks associated with thyroid surgery are primarily related to damage that my occur to specific structures in the neck during the process of exploration and removal of the thyroid. In particular, damage to the parathyroid glands may cause temporary or permanent hypoparathyroidism, a condition that disrupts the balance of calcium in the body. Damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerves may result in temporary or permanent dysfunction of the vocal cords. In mild cases, this may cause dysphonia, a condition characterized by hoarseness or weakening of the voice. In extreme cases, it may obstruct the flow of air into and out of the trachea. As with any surgery, there is also the risk that the incision site may become infected.

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