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.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun

Endocrinology

1min 10sec

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"Malignant thyroid nodules" means what?

Thyroid nodules are assessed under ultrasound with a grading system, and if rated at level three or higher, they tend to be more likely to be malignant. The most common malignancy in thyroid nodules is thyroid cancer. Among all types of tumors, thyroid cancer tends to grow slowly and is relatively less malignant. Therefore, if an ultrasound suggests a high likelihood of malignancy in a thyroid nodule, further examinations should be conducted. This can include a fine needle aspiration biopsy, thyroid contrast-enhanced ultrasound, or even direct surgical removal of the malignant nodule for further pathological examination to determine whether it is benign or malignant. Since the degree of malignancy of thyroid nodules is relatively low compared to other malignant tumors, a high grading score on a thyroid nodule should not be overly worrying. It is advisable to proceed with formal medical checks and regular follow-ups, as the five-year survival rate is quite high, exceeding 80%.

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Written by Hu Jian Zhuo

Nephrology and Endocrinology

59sec

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Should thyroid nodules be punctured?

Thyroid fine needle aspiration is a reliable and highly valuable diagnostic method we use to distinguish between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Generally, thyroid nodules with a diameter >1 cm are considered for fine needle aspiration. Fine needle aspiration is not routinely considered in the following situations: (1) The nodule has already been evaluated with a nuclear scan indicating a hyperfunctioning adenoma due to hyperthyroidism; (2) The nodule is purely cystic; (3) The nodule is highly suspected to be highly malignant. In cases where the nodules grow rapidly and significantly enlarge, causing compression of the surrounding trachea and symptoms such as breathing difficulties and hoarseness, these thyroid nodules requiring surgery do not necessitate further fine needle aspiration treatment.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun

Endocrinology

52sec

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The difference between thyroid nodules and nodular goiter

Thyroid nodules are the clinical manifestations of nodular goiter, and nodular goiter is the cause of thyroid nodules. Nodular goiter generally occurs in iodine-deficient areas, forming these partial or multiple thyroid nodules. Thyroid nodules are the clinical manifestations of nodular goiter; the nodules in the thyroid can be single or multiple and can cause abnormal thyroid function, although thyroid function can also be normal in the early stages. Therefore, when performing an ultrasound, if thyroid nodules are discovered, it is necessary to further assess thyroid function and dynamically track changes in the size of the thyroid nodules to determine whether it is nodular goiter.

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Written by Hu Jian Zhuo

Nephrology and Endocrinology

1min 55sec

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Thyroid nodule examination checks what

Generally, when thyroid nodules are detected, one should visit the hospital's breast and thyroid surgery department or the endocrinology department. If you find a thyroid nodule, you can consult a doctor and undergo some relevant tests based on your specific situation. Typically, the following tests are conducted: 1. Thyroid ultrasound: This can determine the size, number, location, texture, shape, and edges of the nodules, including whether there is calcification. It also examines the blood supply within the thyroid nodule, the relationship with surrounding tissues, and assesses whether there are lymph nodes in the neck and the nature of these lymph nodes. 2. Blood tests are needed to measure thyroid function, particularly the level of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). Higher levels of TSH indicate that the thyroid nodule is more likely to be proliferative, and thus, the risk of thyroid cancer increases. In addition, Thyroglobulin (Tg) can be measured. Another measure is Serum Calcitonin (Ct). If serum calcitonin is > 100 pg/mL, medullary thyroid cancer should be highly considered, as these cancer cells can secrete large amounts of serum calcitonin, causing this marker to significantly increase. Nuclear isotope imaging is also performed. If the nodule is large and TSH levels are low, a thyroid radionuclide scan is conducted to see if the nodule is a hyperfunctioning adenoma. When necessary, a Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy (FNAB) is also performed. Fine needle aspiration is an invasive test, but it is currently an important and most efficient method to assess the benign or malignant nature of the nodule. It is generally performed under ultrasound guidance.

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Written by Hu Jian Zhuo

Nephrology and Endocrinology

1min 16sec

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Are thyroid nodules serious?

The severity of thyroid nodules needs to be assessed based on their nature, size, function, and location. Generally, they can be classified into benign and malignant, with malignant nodules being thyroid cancer, which requires timely treatment. Surgical treatment is the main method for treating thyroid cancer, whereas most benign nodules do not require special handling. Regarding the size of the thyroid nodules, if the nodules are too large and compress surrounding tissues such as the trachea, esophagus, and nerves, surgical treatment is recommended. For common benign nodules, regular observation is sufficient. Functionally, some thyroid nodules may affect thyroid function, such as in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which can present with diffuse multiple nodules, leading to either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. In such cases, appropriate medication treatment is needed. From a positional perspective, ectopic growth of thyroid nodules, if located at areas like the base of the ear, pharynx, neck, esophagus, or thoracic cavity, is a rare congenital developmental anomaly. If such a nodule significantly enlarges and compresses surrounding tissues, surgical treatment is advised.