Effect of Enhanced Recovery Protocol on Voice Change and Swallowing-related Problems among Patients Post Thyroidectomy

Thyroidectomy is one of the most common endocrine procedures. Even with improvements in surgical methods and perioperative management, patients can still experience long‑term complications that require nursing recovery protocol of care. Purpose: To determine the effect of enhanced recovery protocol on voice change and swallowing-related problems among patients post thyroidectomy. Setting: The study was conducted in the general surgical department of Menoufia University Hospital. Research design: A quasi-experimental (study/control) research design was utilized. Subjects: A consecutive sample of 120 adult patients female with thyroidectomy was selected. Instruments: Instrument I: structured interview questionnaire, instrument II: voice handicap index, instrument III: dysphagia severity rating scale, instrument IV: eating assessment tool-10. Results: The mean total voice handicap score of the study group was 28.40±8.5 as compared to 56.8±16.8 of the control group at fourth week post-intervention. The study group showed significant improvement regarding swallowing of fluids and diet as well as regarding supervision than control group at both second and fourth week post-intervention (p=0.000). Conclusion: Applying enhanced recovery protocol had a positive significant effect on improving voice change and decrease swallowing-related problems. Recommendation: Patients should be educated to detect and report any changes in voice and swallowing following thyroidectomy. Coordination with other facilities to apply enhanced recovery protocol to manage voice and swallowing related problems post thyroidectomy