Patient discussions
Surgical counseling to discuss the risks of surgery are discussed with the patient. This includes describing:
the location of incision
possible postoperative voice outcomes with recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis/paralysis
the risk of hypocalcemia from hypoparathyroidism
pain control
postoperative hematoma that may require reoperation, and
swallow issues from recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis.
Most surgeons do not use drains after thyroidectomy. The procedure is ambulatory, with the majority of patients home the same day or a maximum one-night stay at the hospital. Dressings are usually steristrips with subcuticular stitches.
Some protocols require patient isolation for radioactive iodine doses >29.9 millicuries (mCi) (1110 megabecquerels [MBq]). Outpatients given radioactive iodine should wash hands frequently. Close contact with others should also be avoided, particularly with children and pregnant women. Patients who receive radioactive iodine are generally advised not to become pregnant for a period of at least 6 months.[100]
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