Neck surgery may be necessary if a patient experienced trauma or has another serious medical problem, such as severe osteoarthritis, narrow blood vessels or thyroid problems. Neck surgery is concerning because there are many delicate structures in the neck that can cause serious complications if damaged. Thus, choosing an experienced neck surgeon is important in reducing the risk of complications. However, the occurrence of minimal to serious complications is always a risk of neck surgery.
Loss of Voice
According to MayoClinic.com, a loss of voice is a complication that may occur with neck surgery. While this complication is most common with thyroid surgery, it can occur with any neck surgery that is in proximity to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which is the nerve that controls the voice box. If this nerve is damaged, a patient may have a permanent hoarse or weak voice. If both the right and left nerves are damaged, a patient may have a permanent loss of voice. If a patient notices a weak voice or loss of voice after neck surgery, he should immediately tell his surgeon.
Excessive Bleeding
Excessive bleeding is a risk of neck surgery, states MedlinePlus, of the National Institutes of Health. Surgery on the carotid arteries, which are large arteries that send blood from the heart to the brain, carries the highest risk of excessive bleeding. This type of surgery is high risk because it carries large volumes of oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain. Damage to these nerves can cause excessive bleeding during or after surgery, which may require surgical repair to control. In addition to the carotid arteries, other blood vessels in the neck may be damaged. Furthermore, patients taking blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin, are at an increased risk of excessive bleeding.
Paralysis
MedlinePlus states that paralysis may occur during neck surgery. Specifically, cervical spinal fusion surgeries carry the highest risk of spinal nerve damage. Damage to the spinal cord can result in weakness, pain, loss of sensation, bowel and bladder problems, and complete paralysis of the arms and legs. This is a risk because the surgeon is in proximity to the spinal cord, which increases the risk of injury to the spinal cord. A patient experiencing signs of spinal cord damage should not hesitate to tell her surgeon.
