How long does swelling last after thyroidectomy?
You will see swelling or bruising develop in the area around the incision 1-3 days after surgery. You may also notice swelling, firmness, a pulling sensation, or even some trouble swallowing. This often increases over the first 1-2 weeks and then begins to resolve over 6-8 weeks. These are normal sensations.
Why is my incision swollen?
Stage 1: Swelling. White blood cells in your body move into the wound. Think of them as infection-control agents. Their job is to fight bacteria. When you’re in this phase, which can go on for up to 6 days after your surgery, it’s normal to see some redness and swelling.
How do I treat my incision after thyroid surgery?
Continue to avoid trauma to the incision. Apply a light coating of Vaseline or antibiotic ointment over the incision multiple times throughout the day (can stop this after two to three weeks). Keep incision out of the sunlight, or if expecting exposure to sunlight, apply sunscreen (45 SPF or greater) to incision.
Is it normal to have a lump after thyroid surgery?
The commonest cause of a post-thyroidectomy neck swelling is a haematoma, especially when the swelling appears within 48 h of surgery. While a small haematoma may be managed conservatively, large haematomas and those causing airway compromise would require immediate surgical drainage.
What causes swelling after thyroid removal?
After your surgery it is normal to have some swelling close to the wound. This usually goes away after a few weeks as the wound heals. If you had some lymph nodes in your neck removed, the swelling may continue to be there and sometimes it gets worse. This is called lymphoedema.
What is a hematoma after thyroid surgery?
Postoperative haemorrhage is a well-recognised complication of thyroid surgery with an incidence between 0.45% and 4.2% [1-4]. Rapid haematoma formation, even with small volumes, can result in significant airway obstruction requiring emergency intervention.
How long does it take for internal stitches to dissolve after thyroidectomy?
1 Over weeks or months, your body dissolves the stitches, well after your incision has closed.
How do you know if you have a hematoma after thyroidectomy?
Patients with post-thyroidectomy hematoma may present with respiratory distress, pain or a pressure sensation in the neck or dysphagia. The signs include progressive neck swelling, suture line bleeding, dyspnea or stridor and a significant amount of drain losses (6).
How do you treat a hematoma after thyroidectomy?
Airway intervention is also important as an outcome measure for evaluating post-thyroidectomy airway complications. When severe hematoma with rapid mucosal edema and upper airway swelling is detected, tracheotomy or intubation would generally be the first-choice emergency treatment, rather than surgery.
When should I start massaging my thyroidectomy scar?
Remember to massage your scar daily for at least 2 months. WHEN CAN I BEGIN MASSAGE? In general, massage can begin about two weeks following surgery. By this time, any stitches should have been removed and any remaining dressing or Steri-Strips over the incision can be removed.
How soon can I put Vitamin E on my incision?
Pure Vitamin E oil can be moisturizing and soothing to the surgical area once the incision has closed. Some research even suggests that it improves the appearance of scars. Simply apply the oil to the scar at least once a day for the first eight weeks.
How long does post surgery swelling last?
How Long Does Post-op Swelling Last? Swelling after surgery tends to last about two weeks, with gradual improvements experienced each day. Minor swelling will persist for about two weeks after that, with residual swelling lasting another few weeks after that.
What should I expect after my thyroidectomy/parathyroidectomy?
Thyroidectomy/ Parathyroidectomy Post-Operative Instructions Endocrine Surgery 734-936-5738 – 1 – Thyroidectomy/ Parathyroidectomy Post-Operative Instructions What should I expect after my surgery? Your recovery will depend on why you had surgery, the type of surgery performed, and your previous activity level. Neck incisions heal rapidly.
What are the Common side effects of thyroidectomy?
Common side effects beginning after surgery include 2 : Nausea and vomiting after thyroidectomy was the norm at one time, and people may be concerned if they talk with others who had this procedure in the past.
Why is my neck swelling after thyroidectomy?
The commonest cause of a post-thyroidectomy neck swelling is a haematoma, especially when the swelling appears within 48 h of surgery. While a small haematoma may be managed conservatively, large haematomas and those causing airway compromise would require immediate surgical drainage.
What happens to the recurrent larynx after a thyroidectomy?
Less than 1 percent of people having a thyroidectomy will experience damage to either the recurrent laryngeal nerve or the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. 4 If hoarseness persists, especially if it is still present six months after surgery, it’s likely that the recurrent laryngeal nerve was injured.