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What Causes Hoarseness After Thyroidectomy?

Posted on Tue, 6 Sep 2016

Question: Had thyroid surgery 2 times. Second time voice came hoarse! Been through two vocal cord surgery. First vocal cord injection failed. The second surgery injection worked straighten out vocal cored. Though still hoarse. Left my doctor stumped. Left me stomped that he stomped. Left me wondering if it will ever heal!

Just so you know this is two different doctor that did this all.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Re-innervaition surgery may be tried.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I do understand your concern because hoarsnes after thyroidectomy can really impair the quality of life.
In 80% of cases it is temporary and can be improved within 6 months but unfortunately it seems that you belong to the rest.
It needs a professional ENT specialist because he can do the evaluation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve damage and decide the rate of success.
When the injections fail you may try re-innervaition surgery but is the ENT surgeon who will suggest you whether to perform it or not and how successful it will be.
Wish you good health.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (16 hours later)

After this last injection failure noticed something new happening numbeness to the face and tingling in the fingers. Also cramps more frequent up my dosage of calcium. Not he!ping. Coughing up bright red. Blood not a!ot some and coughing.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Calcium and vit D needed.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,
Regarding the tingling sensation i would recommend to check calcium level and raise the dose if it results to be still low. You will need to take vit D also ( if you are not taking it).
The bright red cough is a significant symptom and you should see your ENT specialist.
Wish you good health.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (47 hours later)

Caluim normal taking vitamin d. Thank you. Next set of questions. Why am I am still whistling music long cords of music. Though I can not talk properly still very hoarse. Second had to go to Er. The emergency room doctor had cat scan he advised me both vocal cords where straight and breathing excellent though when I talk I run short on breathe though whistling I do not. My spealist is on vacation for three weeks. And the Er doctor could not answer them. I also heard a nerve could be crushed according the Er doctor though if that was so why am still whistling loudly with perfect music. He could not answer.

PS I going wait the six mouths see what happens.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
as long as you do not have difficulty in breathing there is no emergency

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome back,

To give you proper information regarding to recurrent laryngeal nerve damage and the probability to improve is a competence of ENT specialist and i think he has explained you the situation.

As long as you do not have difficulty in breathing there is no emergency. If you are experiencing new symptoms you should not wait 6 months but when your treating physician comes back, after 3 weeks you should explain him the actual concern.

Wish you good health.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee