Anesthetic Complications in Thyroidectomy Surgery Recovery
The surgical removal of the thyroid gland carries with it the chance of complications. With all anesthetics, whether general, local or regional, there is the chance of complications ranging from minor to life-threatening conditions. Thyroidectomy surgery is usually performed under general anesthetic, but can also be performed under local and regional anesthesia.
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The Thyroid Gland
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The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating all aspects of the body's metabolism, including the rate at which calories are burned.
Thyroidectomy
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There are a number of reasons for the removal of all or part of the thyroid, including thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. A small incision is made in the front of the neck through which the thyroid gland is removed. Following the procedure, the patient may experience a painful neck and a hoarse voice.
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General Anesthesia
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Thyroidectomy procedures are usually performed under general anesthetic, which means the patient is unconscious throughout the procedure. The whole body is affected by the anesthesia, increasing the risks of complications which are rare in healthy individuals. Serious complications with general anesthesia are usually associated with surgical complications, although common general anesthesia risks include stroke, blood clots and heart attack.
Local Anesthesia
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In some hospitals, local anesthesia is used for thyroidectomy to reduce the length of the patient's hospital stay. Although the risks are small with local anesthesia, high doses of the anesthetic medicine can have toxic effects on the body. A condition called systemic toxicity can be caused by toxic levels of the medicine being absorbed into the body's bloodstream and spreading throughout the body. Systemic toxicity can affect a patient's blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.
Regional Anesthesia
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In very rare cases, regional anesthesia is used during thyroidectomy surgery. In this procedure the anesthesia is injected into a nerve or bundle of nerves, numbing the area of the procedure. The use of this anesthesia can cause nerve damage resulting in persistent weakness, numbness and pain. Systemic toxicity is also a risk with regional anesthesia, resulting most commonly in heart and lung problems. Minor complications include swelling and bruising at the site of the injection.
Medicines
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Patients are at risk of allergic reactions to medicines used in anesthesia. These reactions are rare but provide a definite risk. Allergic reactions can cause a condition called malignant hyperthermia (MH). The symptoms of MH include increased blood pressure and heart rate. MH can cause a rapid increase in the body temperature and is potentially fatal.
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