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A.) THYROID: This saddle-bag shaped gland resides in the base of the neck and overlies the trachea (wind pipe). It is a gland which moderates our metabolism. If it is operative (meaning it produces too much thyroid hormone) the metabolism races, vice versa for under activity. Surgery for these conditions is now unusual as they are now treated medically. The major reason for thyroid surgery today is for benign or malignant tumors. This is done with a small incision in the base of the neck and is highly successful with excellent survival rates and minimal disability.
B.) PARATHYROID: There are 4 baked bean -shaped parathyroid glands located behind the thyroid gland in the base of the neck. These glands control calcium metabolism. When the calcium level rises in the blood stream it frequently means a single gland or multiple glands are overactive. Medical treatment is usually not effective and surgery is required. The gland abnormality may be identified by nuclear scanning called SESTAMIBI SCAN. The surgery is like that for thyroid surgery - through an incision (usually small) in the front of the neck in a natural skin crease. The offending gland or glands are removed correcting the problem. It is very common for patients on renal dialysis to develop enlargement (hypertrophy) of all 4 glands requiring removal of all and auto transplantation of a piece of 1 gland in the arm or forearm. This surgery is very well tolerated and has little long-term disability.
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