Subtotal thyroidectomy increases risk for which complication?

Subtotal thyroidectomy increases risk for which complication?

• A. Thyroid storm
• B. Hypocalcemia
• C. Hyperkalemia
• D. Hypothyroidism

Answer: (A)

Thyroid storm is the main concept here. It’s a life-threatening hyperthyroid crisis that can be precipitated by the stress of surgery and manipulation of thyroid tissue in a patient who is not adequately euthyroid preoperatively. Subtotal thyroidectomy leaves some functioning thyroid tissue behind, so during the operation that remaining tissue can release large amounts of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. If the patient isn’t properly prepared with antithyroid drugs, iodide, and beta-blockers to blunt the hyperthyroid state, this hormone surge can trigger a thyroid storm. In this context, while hypocalcemia can occur after thyroid surgery due to potential injury to the parathyroids, and hypothyroidism can occur if too much thyroid tissue is removed, those risks are not as directly tied to the concept of subtotal resection provoking a storm. Hyperkalemia isn’t a typical complication related to thyroidectomy.

Thyroid storm is the main concept here. It’s a life-threatening hyperthyroid crisis that can be precipitated by the stress of surgery and manipulation of thyroid tissue in a patient who is not adequately euthyroid preoperatively. Subtotal thyroidectomy leaves some functioning thyroid tissue behind, so during the operation that remaining tissue can release large amounts of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. If the patient isn’t properly prepared with antithyroid drugs, iodide, and beta-blockers to blunt the hyperthyroid state, this hormone surge can trigger a thyroid storm.

In this context, while hypocalcemia can occur after thyroid surgery due to potential injury to the parathyroids, and hypothyroidism can occur if too much thyroid tissue is removed, those risks are not as directly tied to the concept of subtotal resection provoking a storm. Hyperkalemia isn’t a typical complication related to thyroidectomy.