Answer :
Hypocalcemia: This happens when the parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium levels, are affected during surgery. It can lead to low calcium levels in the blood, causing symptoms like muscle cramps, tingling in the hands and feet, and even seizures.
Vocal Cord Paralysis: During surgery, the nerves that control the vocal cords can be damaged, leading to one or both vocal cords becoming paralyzed. This can cause hoarseness, difficulty speaking loudly, or trouble breathing if severe.
Answer:
Explanation:Hypocalcemia: The thyroid gland is closely located near the parathyroid glands, which regulate calcium levels in the body. During thyroid surgery (thyroidectomy), there's a risk of inadvertently damaging or removing the parathyroid glands. This can disrupt their ability to control calcium levels, leading to hypocalcemia (low calcium levels in the blood). Symptoms of hypocalcemia may include muscle cramps, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet (paresthesias), twitching, and in severe cases, seizures. Treatment usually involves calcium and vitamin D supplements to restore normal calcium levels.
Vocal Cord Paralysis: The nerves responsible for controlling the vocal cords (recurrent laryngeal nerves) are very close to the thyroid gland. During thyroidectomy, especially in cases where the surgery involves the removal of nearby structures or lymph nodes, these nerves can be accidentally injured or stretched. This can result in vocal cord paralysis, where one or both of the vocal cords lose their ability to move normally. Symptoms include hoarseness, weak voice, difficulty speaking loudly, and sometimes, breathing difficulties if the paralysis is severe. Most cases of vocal cord paralysis after thyroidectomy are temporary and improve over time, but in some cases, permanent damage can occur, necessitating further evaluation and treatment by an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist).
