Microsoft word - postop brochures total thyroidectomy new.doc
TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY Late complications: The only delayed
complication of concern is wound infection.
and/or Rocaltrol medication please detach
Wound Care: Your wound will be covered
this form and give it to your doctor one week
with tape, which should be left in place for
becomes very red, hot and more swollen. If
that occurs you must seek attention from
at your first postoperative visit. You may
your local doctor straight away who will
notice some dried blood under the tape but
Your patient has been discharged on calcium
supplements following their thyroid surgery.
shower with the tape in place and even get
Follow-up: generally your follow-up will
weekly basis to have their serum calcium
to be replaced and you will then need to
level checked and their medication reduced
change it every 2 or 3 days for the next 2
A visit at 2 to 3 weeks to have the tape
removed. You will need to ring the office to
If your patient is just on Caltrate tablets
tape is narrow, flesh coloured Micropore
which can be obtained from your chemist.
If calcium is normal at one week reduce to:
Activities: You should generally restrict
your local doctor on a weekly basis to have
vigorous activities for 1 or 2 weeks after
a blood test to check your calcium level,
If calcium is normal the next week reduce to:
surgery. Activities, which involve turning
heavy traffic, should be avoided although
supplements” below). You will also need to
local driving is acceptable. Commonsense
If your patient is on Caltrate + Rocaltrol
have thyroid function tests to check your
Thyroxine (Oroxine) dose, which may need
Caltrate 2 twice a day and Rocaltrol 2 twice a Local symptoms: A variety of local
to be adjusted (see “Thyroxine medication”
If calcium is normal at one week reduce to:
after surgery including tightness, choking,
endocrinologist may need to see you more
Caltrate 1 twice a day and Rocaltrol 1 twice a
frequently for specific review if there are
If calcium is normal the next week reduce to:
weakness of the voice with prolonged use.
Caltrate 1 daily and Rocaltrol 1 daily Country patients: If you are unable to
If calcium is normal the next week reduce to
return to Sydney for follow-up, it may be
from daily massage with Vitamin E cream.
….continued back page
please contact your patient’s surgeon as
the tape to be changed and for your follow-
up to be undertaken by your local doctor.
ENDOCRINE SURGICAL Thyroxine medication: You will need to
take Thyroxine for life. The initial dose will
postoperative
Thyroxine is best taken half an hour before
A/Professor Stan Sidhu PhD FRACS instructions Ph: (02) 9437 1731 Mobile: 0400 817 023 Calcium supplements: A temporary drop Email: stansidhu@nebsc.com.au
in calcium levels is very common after total
Website: www.nebsc.com.au
checked in hospital and if it is normal, you
Suite 202, Level 2, AMA House 69 Christie Street
supplements (Caltrate). If the calcium level
TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY St Leonards NSW 2065
vitamin D tablets (Rocaltrol) as well as
Caltrate. You will need to see your local
doctor every week after discharge to have
a blood test and to have the calcium levels
checked. If, at each visit, the calcium level
in the blood is normal, then the dose needs
Royal North Shore Hospital,
If you have any problems, following your
St Leonards, NSW 2065
thyroid surgery, you should speak to your
Australia
local doctor, who will arrange to contact
TOT- 01/03
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the tape to be changed and for your follow-
up to be undertaken by your local doctor.
ENDOCRINE SURGICAL