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What Are The Chances Of Voice Damage During Parathyroid Gland Surgery?

Posted on Sat, 7 Jun 2014

Question: i have been diagnosed with primary hyperparathroidism, after having a lot of the symptoms. i am supposed to be having a sestambi (nuclear) scan before surgery. When i saw the surgical team member last week he said i had a 1 in 160 chance of voice damage? i am wondering now whether surgery is for me. He also said sometimes they take out good ones, but i will be ok 'cos only going in on one side. i do not feel reassured and i am wondering if distilled water and lemon may be a good alternative. think i am looking for an endocrinologist surgeon

Answered by Dr. Ashish Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
still risk will be there

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

No surgeon, be it a general or endocrine surgeon, will give you 100% assurance that there will not be any chance of complication during surgery.

This is because there are so many anatomical variations between persons. And no one can predict beforehand what exactly will be the case in any one before opening, even after all the investigations.

So i would suggest that you dont worry much, you surgeon is giving you very very low risk of complications. Moreover, you are being operated upon just one side, so even if any thing happens on that side, the other side is still there to take care of everything. The body has total of four parathyroid glands, two on each side and one gland is enough to keep the hormone levels normal. Also for voice there are one nerve one each side and one is sufficient for the job. God has created our body with ample reserve parts.

And there is no guarantee that your distilled water with lemon will work life long.

Hope, i have been helpful.

Regards.
Dr. Ashish Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Ashish Verma (21 hours later)

Thank you for your reply. I suppose i have been worrying because my job is working as a counsellor with children and i did not want my voice to be different. I have not done this my whole life, i re-trained and have been in this work only last 2 years, paid and before voluntary while doing other work.

Thank you again, you are very kind.
Best regards,
XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ashish Verma (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am glad that i have been of help to you.

If you dont have further queries, you may close this discussion and rate the response.

Regards
Dr. Ashish Verma

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad