Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>> WHEN A PATIENT UNDERGOES THYROID SURGERY,
THE RECOVERY PART OF THAT IS ACTUALLY PRETTY QUICK,
MAYBE TWO OR THREE DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL.
>> THEY'RE MONITORED POSTOPERATIVELY TO MAKE
CERTAIN THAT RARE COMPLICATIONS DON'T OCCUR,
SUCH AS BLEEDING OR INFECTION.
YOU WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THEIR PAIN MANAGEMENT
IS GOOD AND THAT THEY CAN EAT AND DRINK.
>> WE'RE WATCHING TO ENSURE THAT THE CALCIUM DOES NOT
DECREASE BECAUSE THE PARATHYROID GLANDS
ARE ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF THE THYROID.
THOSE ARE THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS IN OUR BODY.
THEY MAKE PARATHYROID HORMONE,
WHICH IS THE HORMONE THAT CONTROLS CALCIUM METABOLISM.
AND WHEN THE THYROID IS REMOVED,
THERE CAN BE A TRANSIENT PERIOD OF TIME WHERE
THE PARATHYROID GLANDS DON'T WORK AS WELL AND WE HAVE
TO GIVE CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTATION AND VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION,
OR IT CAN BE A PERMANENT THING.
SO DEPENDING ON THE EXTENT OF THE SURGERY DEPENDS ON
THE RISK FOR CALCIUM ISSUES AND THAT WILL ALSO HELP
DETERMINE HOW LONG THE FAMILY AND THE PATIENT WILL
HAVE TO STAY IN THE HOSPITAL.