Effect of Enhanced Recovery Protocol on Neck Pain and Disability Post Thyroidectomy

Thyroidectomy is one of the most common cervical and endocrine surgeries performed today, technological advancements in thyroid surgery, mortality and morbidity rates are low, but some long-term complications occurring after thyroidectomy continue to pose a health and social problem. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of enhanced recovery protocol on neck pain and disability post thyroidectomy. Design: A pre- post technique quasiexperimental research design was used. Setting: This study was conducted at the department of General Surgery connected with New Surgical Hospital and Outpatient Surgery Clinic at Zagazig University Hospital, Sharquia Governorate, Egypt. Sample: A purposive sample of sixty patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Tools: Patients' interview questionnaire, Neck Pain Disability index Questionnaire, and Post thyroidectomy complications observational checklist. Results: There was a highly statistically significant difference between the patients in the study and control groups about the level of pain & disability at post intervention at p-value <0.001 and with Mean ±SD (10.9±4.9 & 22.1±5.8 respectively). Finally, inverse significant correlation was found between total level among the patients in knowledge, neck pain & disability in study group at post intervention (r=-0.53 p=0. 003). Conclusion: Application of enhanced recovery protocol for patients undergoing thyroidectomy had a statistically significant positive effect on alleviating neck pain, functional disability, and postoperative complications. Recommendation: Repetition of the present study on greater possibility population is advised to gain generality and larger application of the proposed protocol.