A Prospective study for effect of wound or scar tissue massage after thyroidectomy on neck discomfort and voice change

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to found and selecting the causes behind neck discomfort and change in the voice following thyroidectomy and to determine the efficacy of wound massaging technique on decreasing and relief such symptoms. Methods: Totally 55 patients all females who underwent thyroidectomy were included in our study, the patients were divided in to two groups (26 in the experimental group and 29 in the control group). The massaging technique was instructed to all patients in the experimental group 1 week postoperatively and the feedback were received from patients after 2 weeks and 4 weeks from instruction time. The analysis was achieved for both groups of patients. and significantly much more better recovery from subjective voice impairment score (SVIS) and neck discomfort score (NDS) which was represented by swallowing impairment score (SIS). (all P < .01) in compare with the patients in control group. Those results indicates that localized adhesions following total thyroidectomy operation could be included in affection of general movement as well as vertical movements of the larynx and the wound massaging technique might help patients recovering the normal general movement of the larynx postoperatively. Conclusion: Discomfort of the neck, pulling neck sensation, and voice or phonation changes after total thyroidectomy surgery might due to local surgical adhesions of the wound which possibly accompanied with impairment of vertical movement of larynx. so, releasing of such adhesions could help the patients to recover much more quickly from mentioned undesirable symptoms postoperatively and start their normal daily activities.