Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery
When you need your thyroid or parathyroid gland removed, count on experienced endocrine surgeons at North Carolina Surgery (formerly REX Surgical Specialists). Receive care from experts in Raleigh, Wakefield, Garner, and Clayton who specialize in treating all disorders of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, including thyroid cancer, nodules, goiter, and hyperparathyroidism.
What is the Thyroid?
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. The thyroid produces hormones to regulate your metabolism.
Thyroid Surgery
If your doctor diagnoses you with a thyroid condition, they may recommend removing part of the gland (thyroid lobectomy) or all of it (total thyroidectomy). Surgery can treat your thyroid if it is:
- Cancerous
- Enlarged (thyroid nodules or goiter)
- Symptomatic (e.g., choking, painful, hoarse)
- Hyperfunctional (e.g., produces too much thyroid hormone)
The amount of your thyroid gland removed depends on your symptoms and the reason for your surgery. If the surgeon removes only a portion, your thyroid may work normally after surgery. If your entire thyroid is removed, you will need to take thyroid hormone daily after your surgery.
What is the Parathyroid?
Your parathyroid glands are four small glands in your neck near the thyroid gland. These glands control the calcium and phosphate levels throughout your body.
Parathyroid Surgery
Your physician may find that your parathyroid glands are enlarged and produce too much parathyroid hormone (hyperparathyroidism). Your surgeon may have to remove one or more glands to treat your parathyroid condition. You may be a candidate for parathyroid surgery if you’re diagnosed with:
- Primary hyperparathyroidism – Occurs when one or more parathyroid glands send out too much hormone, which raises calcium levels in your blood
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism – Happens as a result of another condition, such as chronic kidney failure, that lowers calcium levels
- Tertiary hyperparathyroidism – Develops if you have secondary hyperparathyroidism for a long time; remains even if secondary hyperparathyroidism is resolved
Reoperative Surgery
If you already had neck surgery—such as thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, or cervical spine fusion—choose an experienced surgeon for your next procedure. You’ll be in good hands with the endocrine surgeons at North Carolina Surgery endocrine surgeons who experienced with reoperative neck procedures and use the latest technology and technique to optimize a good outcome. Your surgeon will perform a laryngoscopy in the office before treatment to check the function of your vocal cords, and will use nerve monitoring to make every effort to ensure that nerve function is preserved during the surgery.
In-House Surgical Consultations & Testing
During your appointment, you can get an ultrasound and, depending on your situation, receive a biopsy the same day. If needed, you’ll work with your surgeon to schedule an appointment for surgery. Take advantage of surgical consultations, ultrasounds, vocal cord evaluations, and lab testing conveniently located in the same building.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Your surgeon will choose the best approach to your surgery, using the latest minimally invasive techniques. Trust your doctor to take the approach that is safest and most comfortable and causes the least change to your appearance.
Experienced Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgeons
Rely on North Carolina Surgery’s highly skilled surgeons who perform over 650 endocrine surgeries per year. Your well-trained endocrine surgeons partner with regional specialists to give you excellent care for both common and rare conditions. The surgeons participate in regional and national meetings to learn about the latest guidelines, which means you get the most up-to-date care.
