BBC News reported today that popular Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner underwent total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma, a highly curable form of thyroid cancer.

Thankfully, there were no complications and she is expected to be discharged from the hospital in the next 2 days.

Thyroidectomy is when the entire thyroid gland is removed which is necessary whenever thyroid cancer is present.

What are some of the complications that could have occurred?

• Vocal cord paralysis, either one or both vocal cords
• Hoarseness
• Calcium level problems which can lead to heart arrhythmias
• Bleeding which can compress the airway necessitating a tracheostomy
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