Does anyone know the mortality rate of thyroid surgery?
My wife is about to have thyroid surgery and she has some concerns that she didn’t address with her surgeon during the consultation. I’ve tried looking for this answer but can’t find it on the internet. Does anyone know the mortality rate of thyroid surgery? She’s having most/all of her thyroid removed. That’s her main concern, she’s also concerned about the possible nerve damage the doctor informed her of. She asked the doctor performing the surgery and she said that since she’s been in practice she’s only ever hit the nerve one time. I’m not sure if that’s something common, but it’s a concern. Any experience or pure numbers would be helpful. Thanks.
I’m concerned about the mortality rate during the surgery itself, and also the rate shortly after surgery due to post surgery complications.
Mortality is now rare in thyroid surgery.
The link below is to a page all about the mortality . . .
It is rare for an experienced surgeon to cause nerve damage during a thryoidectomy.Some surgeons use nerve monitors that alert the surgeon when they are in the vacinity of the nerve. Is she having the thyroidectomy performed by an ENT or a general surgeon? I personally would go with an ENT since it is their speciality and that’s what they do day in and day out.
I am approaching surgery #6 on my neck and have had no complications from surgery. I did have to go to physical therapy after 2 of my surgeries (both were bilateral neck dissections), but it was due to the extend and length of the surgeries and not an error on the doctors part. Taking pain medication and moving as much I could helped the the stiffness and healing process.
Remember that the surgeon must disclose all risks of the surgery no matter how low of a risk.
Best of luck to your wife, hope her surgery goes well!
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