Post-Operative Care Instructions
Total Thyroidectomy
Your patient has been discharged on calcium supplements following their thyroid surgery. They have been asked to see you on a weekly basis to have their serum calcium level checked and their medication reduced according to the protocol:
If your patient is just on Caltrate tablets
On discharge they will normally be on:
Caltrate 2 twice a day
If calcium is normal at one week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 twice a day
If calcium is normal the next week, reduce to:
Caltrate 1 daily
If calcium is normal the next week:
Cease Caltrate
If your patient is on Caltrate + Rocaltrol tablets
On discharge they will normally be on:
Caltrate 2 twice a day and Rocaltrol 2 twice a day
If calcium is normal at one week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 twice a day and Rocaltrol 1 twice a day
If calcium is normal the next week, reduce to:
Caltrate 1 daily and Rocaltrol 1 daily
If calcium is normal the next week reduce to
Caltrate 1 daily
If calcium is normal the next week:
Cease Caltrate
Hemithyroidectomy
Your patient has been discharged on calcium supplements following their thyroid surgery. They have been asked to see you on a weekly basis to have their serum calcium level checked and their medication reduced according to the protocol:
On discharge they will normally be on:
Caltrate 2 twice a day
If calcium is normal at one week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 twice a day
If calcium is normal the next week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 daily
If calcium is normal the next week:
Cease Caltrate
Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy
Your patient has been discharged on calcium supplements following their thyroid surgery. They have been asked to see you on a weekly basis to have their serum calcium level checked and their medication reduced according to the protocol.
On discharge they will normally be on:
Caltrate 2 twice a day
If calcium is normal at one week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 twice a day
If calcium is normal the next week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 daily
If calcium is normal the next week:
Cease Caltrate
Open parathyroidectomy
Your patient has been discharged on calcium supplements following their thyroid surgery. They have been asked to see you on a weekly basis to have their serum calcium level checked and their medication reduced according to the protocol.
If your patient is just on Caltrate tablets
On discharge they will normally be on:
Caltrate 2 twice a day
If calcium is normal at one week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 twice a day
If calcium is normal the next week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 daily
If calcium is normal the next week:
Cease Caltrate
If your patient is on Caltrate + Rocaltrol tablets
On discharge they will normally be on:
Caltrate 2 twice a day and Rocaltrol 2 twice a day
If calcium is normal at one week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 twice a day and Rocaltrol 1 twice a day
If calcium is normal the next week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 daily and Rocaltrol 1 daily
If calcium is normal the next week reduce to:
Caltrate 1 daily
If calcium is normal the next week:
Cease Caltrate
Parotidectomy
Some abnormal side effects that require immediate medical treatment may include:
- Temperature higher than 38°C or chills
- Severe pain, redness or swelling
- Sudden bleeding from the wound, or persistent and worsening pain
- Nausea or vomiting
To prevent nausea post-anaesthesia, give the patient liquids only. If this is well tolerated, they can move onto solid foods.
The most significant complication that could arise is facial nerve involvement. Some symptoms of this may be poor lip movement or failure of the eye to close, through to complete drooping of one side of the face. The patient may require artificial tears to protect the eye if the lid is not closing properly. Signs of facial nerve paresis difficulty smiling, winking, or drinking fluids. There is no need to be alarmed. Facial nerve weakness usually recovers within 3 months.