Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy & Parathyroidectomy

A thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland and is used for three major reasons, the most common of which is the development of a suspicious lump within the gland.

Minimally invasive thyroidectomy usually consists of an incision smaller than two inches long. Once the incision is made, the thyroid is mobilized into the wound and the blood supply is controlled. Before extracting the specimen, nerves are localized and preserved. Generally patients have little to no discomfort after a minimally invasive thyroidectomy and can be discharged from the hospital within 23 hours. Drainage tubes are usually no longer needed.

Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy

A minimally invasive parathyroidectomy consists of preoperative imaging to localize the abnormal parathyroid gland or glands. This technique uses an incision smaller than 1.5 inches long, minimal exploration of the neck an intraoperative radio probe for localization. To start the surgery, a small, slightly covered incision is made in the lower neck centered at the midline. The parathyroid glad is mobilized into the wound and the blood supply is controlled. Similar to thyroid surgery, the nerves are identified and preserved.

Procedure Advantages

The majority of patients experience less pain and a more rapid recovery when they have had surgery using these techniques. These procedures commonly use smaller incisions that fade over time and become almost unnoticeable.

Recovery

After the surgery has been completed, most patients are discharged within 23 hours. Most patients will be able to return to normal daily activity at a rapid rate and experience minimal scarring. Patients are advised to follow up with their surgeon one to two weeks after surgery, and can return to work much faster than the patients who undergo traditional thyroid and/or parathyroid procedures.