Rehabilitation after thyroid surgery

Diseases of the human endocrine system often do not respond to conservative treatment and require immediate surgical intervention. Any operation requires a recovery period in compliance with certain rules for the speedy return to the normal rhythm of life.

Indications for thyroid surgery

The thyroid gland is one of the organs of the endocrine system of the human body, responsible for the production of the hormones thyroxine, calcitonin and triiodothyronine. The shape resembles a butterfly, located in front of the trachea.

Traditionally, in the geography of the country, it is possible to single out territories in which a stable high percentage of the population with thyroid disease is noted. These include the central regions of the European part of Russia, the north, the highlands, the Upper and Middle Volga regions.

Statistics show that the incidence among the female part of the population is 20 times higher than among the male. From 30 to 50% of all residents of Russia have any disorders in the thyroid gland. In 90% of cases, neoplasms in the organ are benign in nature and can be treated conservatively or surgically.

So the patient may be prescribed surgery for the following reasons:

• a benign formation is too large, because of this, the respiratory and swallowing process is difficult;
• the presence of malignant neoplasms;
• the presence of cysts;
• the diagnosis of "hyperthyroidism", which is not amenable to conservative treatment.

Types of surgery

Depending on the site of removal and its size, the following types of surgical intervention on the organ are distinguished:

1. Thyroidectomy - means the removal of the entire organ completely (with oncology, toxic or multinodular goiter).
2. A hemithyroidectomy is the removal of one of the two lobes of the thyroid gland.
3. Resection or removal of part of the thyroid gland.

Possible Complications

Both during and after surgery, the following complications are possible:

• Bleeding. If it occurred after surgery, then another intervention will be required to identify the source and eliminate the cause.
• The occurrence of allergies to the drugs used during the operation.
• Nerve damage up to loss of voice. Recovery is possible with both conservative and surgical treatment.
• Paresis of the larynx after thyroid surgery . It can be cured both with the help of conservative methods, classes with a speech therapist, and by surgical correction.
• Damage to the esophagus during surgery. Surgery is needed to correct the problem.
• Impaired mobility of the neck. It is eliminated by the methods of exercise therapy or manual therapy.
• The development of infectious complications. Antibacterial therapy is prescribed.

Voice restoration after thyroid surgery

The thyroid gland is located in close proximity to the vocal cords and vital nerves. A frequent complication after surgery is a partial or complete loss of voice, which occurs both due to the mistake of the surgeon, and due to postoperative hematomas, scar tissue.

The nerves of one or both halves of the larynx can be affected. Manifested in the form of movement disorders. If they do not go away on their own within a year, then a diagnosis is possible - paresis of the larynx. Statistics show that 70 to 90% of cases of paralysis of the larynx are due to operations on the thyroid gland.

Voice restoration therapy in the first 6-12 months after surgery combines conservative methods. This is taking medications, physiotherapy. Restoration of the voice after thyroid surgery is done by a speech therapist or a phoniatrist. All methods of treatment are aimed at ensuring that neuromuscular conduction is restored to the maximum extent possible, and the muscles of the larynx are subjected to constant stimulation.

The phoniatrist will help you correctly select a series of exercises, consisting of speech and respiratory elements, which the patient will perform independently. At repeated visits, the doctor will evaluate the effectiveness of the applied treatment method and its correction, if necessary.

Diet after thyroid surgery

Surgical intervention requires compliance with a number of rules of postoperative recovery behavior. First of all, they relate to nutrition after thyroid surgery and diet. Reviewing your daily diet after surgery should be carried out in compliance with the following rules:

1. Exclude the use of sweets, flour products, animal fats, fried foods, smoked meats.
2. Eat more vegetable fats and fruits.
3. Exclude legumes from the diet, as they interfere with the absorption of hormonal drugs taken.
4. Alcohol, smoking, carbonated drinks, strong tea and coffee are completely contraindicated. Such a ban is due to the fact that all of the above has an irritating effect on the body, which is already under great stress due to the surgery and the removed thyroid gland.
5. Any diet aimed at weight loss is prohibited.
6. Meals should be frequent and in small portions.
7. The main meals should be supplemented with kefir, apples or cottage cheese.

Removing the thyroid gland means that your diet after surgery will never be the same again. You need to reconsider your diet. Diet after thyroid surgery and its basic principles:

1. 1. The basis of the diet should be seafood rich in iodine and fatty acids. Fatty fish, such as pink salmon, salmon or salmon, are best eaten no more than 2 times a week for 150-200 g. Low-fat fish can be eaten much more often. The maximum content of iodine in silver hake, haddock. Next come cod, sea bass and flounder. Then - tuna, herring and halibut. Squid, mussels, scallops, shrimp are also very useful. They serve as a source of protein and iodine, which is so necessary for the body. Don't forget about seaweed. It contains not only iodine, but also a whole list of useful vitamins, trace elements. Cabbage can be used as an independent dish, or as a side dish.

1. Particular attention in the menu should be given to dairy products, lean meat and eggs. They prevent the development of osteoporosis, maintain muscle mass at the proper level.
2. In order for after the operation and absorb all the incoming useful vitamins, micro- and macroelements, it is necessary to eat at least 400 g of vegetables per day in raw, baked or stewed form.
3. An important component of nutrition in the recovery period are cereals and cereals. This is oatmeal, millet, buckwheat. No less useful are mushrooms, dried fruits, nuts, seeds.
4. Animal fats can be successfully replaced with vegetable oils. The choice here is for every taste - sunflower, olive, rapeseed, corn, linen, sesame and cotton. An important condition is not to use vegetable oils for frying. Roasting or dressing salads is recommended.
5. At least 2 liters of clean water should be consumed per day.
6. Drink freshly squeezed juices, herbal teas, vitamin kissels.

Proper nutrition, compliance with these rules will help not only to restore the body faster in the postoperative period, but also protect it from the onset and development of cancer, improve metabolism, and strengthen immunity.

Surgery on the thyroid gland is performed for the following reasons:

1. to get rid of malignant tumors;
2. to remove nodes that have reached too large sizes and interfere with the patient's breathing and swallowing, as well as having a negative cosmetic effect;
3. to remove part or the entire organ due to its hormonal dysfunction, when conservative methods are ineffective.

Modern medicine makes it possible to carry out surgical intervention at a high level, as well as to minimize complications and negative consequences. The patient's life, rehabilitation after thyroid surgery can go on as usual due to the observance of the rules of a healthy diet, maintaining high physical activity.