Context: Thyroid surgeries comprise one of the more commonly performed procedures by a general surgeon. Today most of the complications of thyroid surgery are related to either metabolic derangements or injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (RLN), bleeding etc.

Aims: This study intends to examine the incidence, natural history and the factors contributing to the various complications following thyroidectomy and the effect of timely and prompt recognition and intervention in minimizing morbidity.

Material and Methods: This randomized prospective study included 100 consecutive patients undergoing various thyroidectomy procedures and meeting the inclusion criteria, after presenting to the surgical OPDs attached to Victoria Hospital, Bangalore Medical College And Research Institute. All cases were followed up for a period of 10 postoperative days.

Results: 44% of the patients were seen to be in the fourth decade of life with the male: female ratio being 0.8:9.2. Total thyroidectomy was the procedure done in roughly half the patients and multi nodular goitre was the most common diagnosis. The incidence of post-operative hypocalcemia was 18 %, and that of RLN paralysis, wound infection, haematoma and seroma were 4%, 4%, 4% and 2% respectively. The incidence of bleeding, airway obstruction, superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) paralysis and thyroid storm was nil.

Interpretation and Conclusion: An adequate pre-operative preparation, thorough knowledge of anatomy and operative steps with meticulous attention to hemostasis and dissection is essential in ensuring an uneventful postoperative recovery.