Final answer:
Major complications of thyroid surgery, particularly after total thyroidectomy, can include hypocalcemia, vocal cord paralysis, and bleeding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Complications of thyroid surgery, particularly after total thyroidectomy, can include:
- Hypocalcemia: After thyroid surgery, there is a risk of damage to the parathyroid glands, which can lead to low levels of calcium in the blood. Symptoms may include numbness or tingling in the fingers and lips, muscle cramps, and twitching.
- Vocal cord paralysis: The recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the movement of the vocal cords, can be damaged during thyroid surgery. This can result in hoarseness, difficulty speaking, and swallowing problems.
- Bleeding: There is a risk of bleeding after thyroid surgery. If significant bleeding occurs, it may require additional surgery to stop the bleeding.