Lesson 1Selection of operative approach: hemithyroidectomy, total thyroidectomy, completion thyroidectomyThis lesson details choosing half, full, or follow-up thyroid removal based on tumour traits, risks, past surgery, patient choice, guidelines, and advice on risks, gains, and hormone follow-up.
Oncologic and benign disease indicationsRisk stratification and guideline useWhen to choose hemithyroidectomyIndications for total or completion surgeryShared decision making with patientsLesson 2Immediate postoperative monitoring: airway, hematoma recognition and management algorithmsThis lesson outlines right-after-surgery checks post-thyroidectomy, stressing airway watch, spotting neck swelling early, standard watch plans, step-up paths, and handling steps at bedside or theatre.
Postanesthesia airway assessment stepsNeck wound checks and early warning signsHematoma risk factors and preventionBedside decompression and emergency stepsCriteria for urgent return to the ORLesson 3Role and practical use of intraoperative nerve monitoring: indications, limitations, and alternativesThis lesson covers nerve watch during surgery basics, when to use, setup, electrode fitting, testing steps, fixing signal loss, reading muscle signals, limits, and backups without it.
Basic principles of nerve monitoringIndications and patient selectionEquipment setup and troubleshootingInterpreting EMG signals and alertsSurgery without monitoring: safe strategiesLesson 4Calcium and PTH monitoring protocols after thyroidectomy and initiation of thyroid hormone replacementThis lesson reviews post-surgery calcium and PTH test plans, low calcium risk sorting, mouth and vein calcium/vitamin D plans, hormone start timing, and dose changes by TSH and risks.
Timing of calcium and PTH measurementsRisk stratification for hypocalcemiaOral and IV calcium and vitamin D regimensInitiating levothyroxine after surgeryTSH targets and dose adjustment plansLesson 5Anesthesia considerations and perioperative optimization including anticoagulation managementThis lesson covers anaesthesia plans for thyroid work, airway checks, tube methods, health issue handling, blood thinner changes around surgery, fluid and pressure goals, and pain/nausea control after.
Airway assessment and intubation planningManagement of comorbid conditionsAnticoagulation and antiplatelet adjustmentIntraoperative hemodynamic and fluid goalsPostoperative analgesia and nausea controlLesson 6Hemostasis techniques, use of energy devices, and management of problematic bleedingThis lesson stresses careful bleeding control in thyroidectomy, comparing stitches, clips, energy tools, safe use near nerves/glands, preventing neck swelling, and handling sudden heavy bleeds.
Vascular anatomy relevant to hemostasisSuture ligation and clip techniquesTypes and settings of energy devicesSafe use near nerves and parathyroidsAlgorithm for intraoperative bleedingLesson 7Identification, preservation, and autotransplantation of parathyroid glandsThis lesson teaches finding and saving parathyroid glands, usual and odd spots, blood supply, avoiding cut-off, when to replant, planting ways, and after-checks for function.
Recognizing normal and ectopic parathyroidsMaintaining parathyroid blood supplyWhen to perform autotransplantationAutotransplantation sites and techniqueAssessing postoperative parathyroid functionLesson 8Lymph node management: central compartment dissection indications and extentThis lesson reviews when and how much to clear central neck nodes in thyroid cancer, borders, cancer reasons, preventive vs needed clearance, steps, and nerve/gland safety.
Central compartment anatomy and nodal levelsOncologic indications for central neck dissectionProphylactic versus therapeutic dissectionTechnical steps and key landmarksProtecting nerves and parathyroid glandsLesson 9Management of common complications: hypocalcemia, vocal cord palsy, wound infection, and seromaThis lesson handles early issues after thyroidectomy like low calcium, voice cord weakness, wound bugs, fluid pockets, spotting, tests, quick fixes, patient talks, and specialist referrals.
Recognition and treatment of hypocalcemiaEvaluation of vocal cord dysfunctionPrevention and care of wound infectionSeroma prevention and aspiration techniquePatient education and follow‑up planningLesson 10Intraoperative strategy for recurrent laryngeal nerve identification and preservationThis lesson describes steady ways to find and guard the voice nerve, body variations, cut planes, capsule method, tough scar redo cases, and injury fixes during surgery.
Key anatomic landmarks of the RLNInferior, lateral, and superior approachesCapsular dissection and safe planesManaging scarring and reoperative fieldsHandling suspected nerve injury
