Effect of scar tissue massage after thyroidectomy on neck discomfort and voice changes

Neck discomfort and voice change are common complications after thyroidectomy (the removal of all or part of the thyroid gland). These symptoms might be due to damaged laryngeal nerves, intrinsic structures, or extralaryngeal muscles. But most likely the symptoms are due to because of scar adhesion after surgery.

A study from Korea evaluated the effect of scar tissue massage on the symptom relief of neck discomfort and voice change.

Forty-five female patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were included in the study (21 received treatment and 24 as control). For the treatment group, participants received massage education, then scar tissue massage treatments at 4 to 12 weeks after thyroidectomy.

The results showed that patients have no laryngeal pathology after thyroidectomy, suggesting most pain come from scar adhesion. The group that was treated with massage had significantly better recovery from surgical adhesion and subjective visual analog scale, voice impairment score, and swallowing impairment score compared with the control group. Voice analysis associated with laryngeal movement (speaking fundamental frequency, voice range profile maximum, voice range profile range) indicated significant recovery in the treatment group.

The authors concluded that neck discomfort and voice change after thyroidectomy are mostly related to local scar adhesion, possibly associated with impairment of laryngeal vertical movement. Scar tissue release could help patients recover from neck discomfort and voice changes after thyroidectomy by restoring the general movement of the larynx.