EFFECT OF INSTRUCTIONAL SCHEME REGARDING PREVENTION OF POST THYROIDECTOMY NECK PAIN AND DISABILITY ON PATIENTS' KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE

Background: Thyroidectomy is a very common surgical procedure worldwide and has an important role in the management of thyroid diseases in patients with hyperthyroidism, goiter, or malignant thyroid tumors. The most frequent complications after the surgery are neck pain, tension and pressure on the neck, difficulties moving the neck, hyperparathyroidism, bleeding, and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Aim: To evaluate the effect of the instructional scheme regarding the prevention of post-thyroidectomy neck pain and disability on patients’ knowledge and practice. Design: quasi-experimental design was used to accomplish this study. Setting: The study was conducted in the general surgery department and surgical clinics at National Medical Institute in Damanhour, El-Behera Governorate, Egypt. Sample: A purposive subject of 100 patients of both sexes was selected from the above-mentioned setting and scheduled for thyroidectomy surgeries. They were divided into two equal groups with 50 patients in each group. Tools: Three tools were used to collect data during the pre, post, and one month after surgery, tool (I) a structured interview questionnaire, tool (II) a Patients' Practical observational checklist, and tool (III) a Neck Pain Disability Index Questionnaire. Results: The study's findings revealed a highly statistically significant difference between the both groups regarding the level of pain & disability in addition to, their level of knowledge post-implementing the instructional guideline with p-value (0.001 &0.001) respectively. Furthermore, there was a highly statistically significant correlation between both groups' level of practice and post-thyroidectomy Neck Pain & disability index with a p-value = 0.0004. Conclusion: The Instructional Scheme has a positive effect on the prevention of post-thyroidectomy neck pain and disability, moreover it has a positive effect on improving patients' knowledge and practice. Recommendations: Arabic booklet with simple language and different simple pictures should be available and presented for undergoing thyroidectomy patients, involving procedures for therapeutic exercises and proper body mechanics. Repetition of the present study on the greater possibility population is advised to gain generality.