peroperative complications
Last reviewed 01/2018
- recurrent laryngeal nerve damage - unilateral or bilateral. Bilateral damage is bilateral presents as laryngeal obstruction after tracheal extubation and requires emergency tracheostomy. Approximately 1% develop paralysis so checking is important.
- haemorrhage is uncommon and generally caused by a slipped ligature on the upper pole vessels which then retract. It may cause tracheal compression and asphyxia
- damage to other structures - perforation of the trachea or oesophagus, damage to laryngeal muscles