Cause
Mechanisms
Neck hematoma & Bleeding
- Failure of haemostasis
- Haematoma can causing airway compression
Laryngeal Oedema
- Traumatic intubation
- Complex surgery
- Reduced venous drainage
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy
- Can be cause by traction, ischaemia, entrapment or transection
- May be unilateral or bilateral both of which may lead to stridor
Tracheomalacia (Rare)
- Sustained compression from large goitre
- Pressure atrophy and erosion of the cartilaginous tracheal rings results in post-operative A-P collapse of the trachea
Laryngeal Tetany due to Hypocalcaemia (Rare)
- Unintended trauma or removal of parathyroid glands
- Severe hypocalcemia can induce tetany and laryngospasm
- Permanent hypocalcemia is rare but transient hypocalcemia seen in up to 20% of patients
- Generally presents at 24-48 hours postoperatively
Pneumothorax (Rare)
- Retrosternal dissection of large goitre