You may have been told by a doctor that you have a "thyroid problem" or that you have a "goiter" and need surgery. In fact, the best treatment for some diseases that occur in the glands that produce hormones in our body is surgery. So, we call these types of special surgeries related to hormone glands Endocrine Surgery. Today, we will talk about this in detail and very simply.
What is this endocrine system?
Simply put, the endocrine system is a network of glands in our body. These glands produce special chemicals called hormones and release them directly into the bloodstream. These hormones are like messengers in our body. They travel through the bloodstream and tell various organs and tissues what to do.
Think about it, body growth, sexual development, metabolism, that is, converting the food we eat into energy, all of this is controlled by these hormones. So if a gland malfunctions, that is, if it produces too much or too little hormone, our body's balance is lost and various diseases can occur.
What glands are primarily targeted by endocrine surgery?
Although there are several glands in our body, endocrine surgery focuses most on three main glands. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Name of the gland | Main function |
|---|---|
| Thyroid Gland | This butterfly-shaped gland, located at the front of the neck, controls our body's metabolism, that is, the rate at which the body uses energy. |
| Parathyroid Glands | These are four small glands located behind the thyroid gland. Their main function is to control the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body. This is essential for strong bones. |
| Adrenal Glands | These glands, which are located like two caps above the kidneys, produce hormones such as sex hormones and cortisol, which regulates the body during times of stress. They also help control blood pressure. |
Common medical conditions that lead to surgery
Surgery may be required on these glands due to various medical conditions.
Thyroid problems
- Goiter: Enlargement of the thyroid gland.
- Hyperthyroidism: The gland becomes overactive and produces too many hormones.
- Graves' disease: This is also a condition that causes hyperthyroidism.
- Thyroid nodules: Tumor-like growths on the gland. Some of these can be cancerous.
- Thyroid cancer: Cancerous conditions that occur in the gland.
Problems related to the parathyroid glands
- Hyperparathyroidism: Increased calcium levels in the blood due to excessive hormone production by these glands.
- Parathyroid adenomas: Non-cancerous tumors that develop in these glands.
- Parathyroid cancer: A very rare cancer.
Problems related to the adrenal glands
- Adrenal tumors: Tumors that develop in these glands.
- Cushing's syndrome: A condition caused by excess cortisol hormone in the body.
- Pheochromocytoma: A type of tumor that causes high blood pressure.
These types of surgeries and how they are performed
Now look, these surgeries are mainly performed in three ways. The doctor will choose the most appropriate method depending on your condition.
| Surgical method | Description |
|---|---|
| Laparoscopic Surgery | This involves making several very small incisions instead of one large one, inserting a thin tube with a camera through one of them, and removing the gland or tumor while watching on a television screen. This is less painful, less scarring, and heals faster. |
| Robotic Surgery | This is similar to keyhole surgery, but the surgeon performs the surgery using a robotic arm. This allows for more precision and accuracy . |
| Open Surgery | In this, the skin is cut directly over the gland, opened, and the surgery is performed. This method is often used if there is a large tumor or cancer . |
The important thing is that these surgeries are not performed by an endocrinologist. They diagnose the disease and treat it with medication. If surgery is needed, they will refer you to an endocrine surgeon or an experienced general surgeon who has received special training for this purpose.
What happens before and after surgery?
Before surgery
It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
- You will be asked to fast (abstain from eating or drinking) for a few hours before the surgery.
- You may be asked to temporarily stop taking certain medications and vitamins.
- Blood tests are done to check the functioning of the gland.
- Scans (CT scan, ultrasound, or MRI) are performed to determine the exact size and location of the tumor.
- A needle biopsy may also be done to check for cancer cells.
After surgery and recovery
You will need to stay in the hospital for a day or two after the surgery. You may have some sore throat and pain in the incision. After you go home,
- It's important to rest for a week or two. Don't lift weights.
- Take fluids and soft foods for a sore throat.
- Take the painkillers and other medications (e.g. calcium, hormone pills) prescribed by your doctor on time.
- The wound needs to be kept clean.
Benefits and risks
Like any surgery, this one has both benefits and risks.
Benefits:
- Many diseases can be completely cured .
- The symptoms are gone and you can live a better quality of life.
- It can protect you from other diseases that may come in the future, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney stones, and diabetes.
Risks:
- Wound infection.
- Bleeding.
- Damage to nerves, blood vessels, or other organs around the surgical site (e.g., temporary hoarseness of the voice if the nerves in the vocal cords are damaged during thyroid surgery).
- Low calcium levels after parathyroid surgery (Hypoparathyroidism).
But don't worry. These risks are very rare with an experienced surgeon. Your doctor will explain everything to you based on your situation.
When to see a doctor immediately
If you experience any of these symptoms after going home after surgery, you should call your doctor immediately.
- If the wound area is red, swollen, oozing yellow fluid, or has a fever (these are signs of infection ).
- If you continue to have difficulty breathing or a change in your voice.
- If you feel numbness or tingling in your face, lips, hands, or feet (this may be a sign of low calcium).
- The wound remains bruised for more than a week.
Take-Home Message
- Endocrine surgery is a special type of surgery performed to treat diseases of hormonal glands, such as the thyroid.
- These surgeries are performed by experienced surgeons. Modern technology, such as the keyhole method, has made them safer and faster to recover from.
- It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly before and after surgery.
- Although every surgery carries some risk, the benefits often outweigh them. It can completely cure the disease.
- If you experience any unusual symptoms after surgery, do not panic and inform your doctor immediately.
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