The thyroid and parathyroid glands are two of the most important endocrine glands in the body. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormones, which play a major role in regulating metabolism. The parathyroid gland regulates calcium levels in the body by secreting parathyroid hormone. If either of these glands becomes diseased, it can have serious consequences for the individual. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of surgery that can be performed to treat diseases of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. We will start by defining and describing these two glands, then move on to discussing specific procedures for each one. Stay tuned!
Thyroid Disorders & Procedures
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland that is located in the front of the neck, just below Adam’s apple. This gland produces two main hormones: thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃). These hormones play a major role in regulating metabolism. The thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, which helps to regulate calcium levels in the body.
Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy:
This procedure is used to remove the entire thyroid gland. It is done through small incisions in the neck and does not require removal of the larynx (voice box).
Minimally Invasive Thyroid Lobectomy:
This procedure is used to remove one lobe (or half) of the thyroid gland. It is done through small incisions in the neck and does not require removal of the larynx (voice box).
Video-Assisted Thyroidectomy:
This procedure is used to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. It is done through small incisions in the neck and uses a camera to help guide the surgeon.
Endoscopic Transaxillary Thyroid Surgery:
This procedure is used to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. It is done through small incisions and uses an endoscope to help guide the surgeon. This approach helps to minimize scarring in people who scar easily.
Mini-Incision Thyroid Surgery:
This procedure is used to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. It is done through a small incision in the neck and does not require removal of the larynx (voice box).
Parathyroid Disorders & Procedures
The parathyroid gland is a small gland that is located in the neck, behind the thyroid gland. This gland secretes parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium levels in the body. PTH also plays a role in bone metabolism and kidney function.
Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy:
This procedure is used to remove one or more of the parathyroid glands. Scans are first used to detect diseased glands, and then these glands are removed. It is done through small incisions in the neck and does not require removal of the larynx (voice box).
Bilateral Neck Exploration for Hyperparathyroidism:
This procedure is used to remove one or more of the parathyroid glands. It is done through small incisions in the neck that expose both sides of the neck. The surgeon then visually examines the four glands to determine which are diseased and in need of removal.
Endoscopic Parathyroidectomy:
This procedure is used to remove one or more of the parathyroid glands. It is done through small incisions in the neck and uses a camera to help guide the surgeon.
In Conclusion
In this blog post, we have discussed the different types of surgery that can be performed to treat diseases of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. We hope that this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us. We would be more than happy to answer them! Thank you for reading!
