ENT Liu Knowledge Base Head & neck tumours · physician reviewed
Thyroid Cancer · Side effects & recovery

What are the main risks of thyroid surgery?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Thyroid Cancer Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

The specific risks are injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (hoarseness or, rarely, bilateral vocal cord paralysis), hypoparathyroidism with low calcium (usually temporary, occasionally permanent), bleeding, and the need for lifelong levothyroxine after total thyroidectomy. Intraoperative nerve monitoring and meticulous parathyroid preservation reduce but do not eliminate these risks.

In detail

Ask whether vocal cords will be checked before and after surgery, what the centre’s rate of permanent hypocalcaemia is, and how calcium and TSH will be monitored after you return home. A written postoperative medication plan is essential for international patients.

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Side effects & recovery” section of the Thyroid Cancer topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about thyroid cancer

See all 14 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Thyroid Cancer (patient information) US National Cancer Institute · 2025
  2. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Head and Neck Cancers National Comprehensive Cancer Network · 2025

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

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Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.