Thyroid nodule surgery risks

Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

Updated on February 05, 2025

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The hazards of thyroid surgery actually refer to the risks involved in thyroid surgery. Thyroid surgery is now a common treatment method. The main risks of thyroid surgery include anesthesia on one hand, and postoperative bleeding on the other. There might be a need for a second incision for decompression. The most common complications are choking while drinking water and hoarseness of voice, mainly due to the involvement or damage to relevant nerves during the surgery. Generally, these complications resolve after a period of adjustment, and most people can recover normally.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun

Endocrinology

1min 20sec

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How to cure thyroid nodules

The treatment of thyroid nodules is primarily based on whether the nodules are benign or malignant. For nodules that are highly suspected to be malignant clinically, or are confirmed to be suspiciously malignant or malignant through thyroid fine needle aspiration, surgical treatment is required and generally yields good results. The second type is benign nodules, for which studies have shown that treatment with levothyroxine can suppress and reduce the size of the nodules, but this is only effective in some iodine-deficient areas. Another type is hyperfunctioning hot nodules, which can be treated with isotope therapy and radioactive iodine. Additionally, if the thyroid nodule causes compressive symptoms, appears behind the sternum or within the mediastinum, and is associated with high-risk factors for thyroid cancer, surgical removal is recommended. For benign thyroid nodules, usually, only regular follow-up with thyroid ultrasound is required; if the ultrasound follow-up shows more than a 50% increase in the size of the thyroid nodule, further thyroid fine needle aspiration is needed, and surgery may be necessary if required.

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Written by Hu Jian Zhuo

Nephrology and Endocrinology

1min 4sec

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Symptoms of thyroid nodules

Thyroid nodules in the early stages often show no clear symptoms, with only small nodules appearing within the body. The size of these nodules can range from several millimeters to several centimeters, and their texture is generally slightly harder compared to the surrounding glandular tissue. When the enlargement is more noticeable, the nodule can move up and down with the thyroid gland during swallowing. In addition to the presence of nodules, when the thyroid nodule is prominent, it can compress the trachea, leading to difficulty breathing and irritative dry cough. If it compresses the recurrent laryngeal nerve, it may cause hoarseness, varying degrees of hoarseness, and even an inability to speak loudly. In patients with malignant nodules, the invasive malignant cells can cause symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty breathing, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), diarrhea, palpitations, facial flushing, and decreased blood calcium levels. If these symptoms occur, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly.

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Written by Li Jin Quan

General Surgery

52sec

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How to Treat Calcification of Thyroid Nodules

In the treatment of thyroid nodule calcification, we generally decide based on the size of the calcification. Usually, larger calcifications have a lower malignancy rate. Such calcifications can continue to be observed. Depending on specific circumstances, a fine needle aspiration cytology test may be chosen. Depending on the results of the pathological examination after the aspiration, we decide the next treatment approach, whether to continue observation or proceed with surgery. The second type involves smaller calcifications, which relatively have a higher malignancy rate. Our preferred treatment is surgery. During the surgery, based on the medical examination results, if the nodule is malignant, we need to further devise other treatment plans, including expanded surgery, radiotherapy, etc.

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Written by Hu Jian Zhuo

Nephrology and Endocrinology

1min 32sec

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Thyroid Nodule Classification Standard

To standardize the diagnosis of thyroid diseases, we have categorized thyroid nodules into six levels, with the severity and the likelihood of malignancy increasing with each level: Grade 1 refers to normal thyroid tissue; Grade 2 indicates benign changes in the thyroid, with the risk of malignancy increasing over time. For example, simple thyroid cysts, which require an ultrasound check every 1-2 years; Grade 3 refers to the presence of nodules in the thyroid with a malignancy possibility of

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Written by Gan Jun

Endocrinology

53sec

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Can thyroid nodules heal themselves?

Thyroid nodules cannot heal on their own, but with appropriate treatment, good recovery can be achieved. Thyroid nodules are a common clinical disease, with many causes. Nodules can be either solitary or multiple, and the incidence of multiple nodules is relatively higher. Regardless of the cause, thyroid nodules are more common in middle-aged women, with the most common symptoms including thyroid enlargement, neck discomfort, and localized thyroid pain. When people are diagnosed with thyroid nodules, there is no need to be overly worried. If the color ultrasound and thyroid function tests show no abnormalities, it is possible to observe the condition dynamically, with a follow-up check about once a year. If there is a high suspicion of malignant nodules, it is advisable to opt for early surgical removal, which typically yields very satisfactory results.