Thyroid operations should to be performed only by a qualified Head Neck and Thyroid Surgeon because, unlike Surgeons General, only he can deal with all possible complications.

Up to one in fourteen patients in Greece may have complications during Thyroid operations. But in the hands of a qualified doctor, the chances of complications are eliminated.

Possible complications:

1. Bleeding in the hours immediately following surgery which can lead to acute respiratory distress.
2. Injury in recurrent laryngeal nerve which can cause temporary or permanent hoarseness even acute respiratory distress in case both nerves are injured.
3. Damage to the Parathyroid glands which control calcium levels in the blood, leading to temporary or permanent hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia.

The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the human body. It is located in the anterior region of the neck, weighs about 20 grams, and consists of 2 lobes (right and left), which are connected by the isthmus in the center.

The thyroid gland as an endocrine gland produces three hormones:

• Thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine (T4)
• triiodothyronine (T3) that regulates the metabolism of all tissues, and
• calcitonin which lowers blood calcium levels.

The synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) produced in the pituitary gland, which, in turn, depends on the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TRH) produced in the hypothalamus.

There are several cases where the thyroid gland does not work properly.

Diseases of the thyroid gland:

• Abnormalities of thyroid development,
• Diseases that cause hyperthyroidism,
• Diseases that cause hypothyroidism,
• Thyroiditis,
• Thyroid cancer.