thyroid surgery complications

Question 1

what is an anatomical complication following thyroid surgery?

Answer 1

recurrent laryngeal n. damage

Question 2

how does bleeding post-thyroid surgery lead to stridor?

Answer 2

due to the confined space, haematomas may rapidly lead to respiratory compromise owing to laryngeal oedema

bleed → increased pressure behind suture lines → trachea compressed → stridor

Question 3

what does damage to the parathyroid glands result in?

Answer 3

hypocalcaemia

Question 4

post-op stridor in pts who have undergone neck surgery is a life-threatening emergency. how would you manage these pts?

Answer 4

1. ABCDE approach - identify compromised airway and breathing
2. urgent removal of sutures (to relieve stridor) and call for senior help