What are the complications of thyroidectomy?
- Thyroidectomy is a safe procedure that is typically performed either as an outpatient procedure or, more commonly, with a single overnight stay. The incidence rates of specific complications after thyroidectomy include:
- 1 Cervical hematoma: 1%
- 2 Permanent/severe hoarseness (i.e., recurrent laryngeal nerve injury): 1%
- 3 Mild/temporary hoarseness: 10%
- 4 Temporary hypocalcemia: 10% to 15%
- 5 Permanent hypoparathyroidism: 1% to 3%
- 6 Mortality: < 0.1%
