Endocrine surgery
Endocrine surgery types
Endocrine surgery risks
What does an endocrine surgeon do?
What are types of endocrine disorders?
What is the difference between endocrine and endocrinology?
Endocrine surgery
Endocrine surgery is a surgical sub-speciality focusing on surgery of the endocrine glands, including the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the adrenal glands, glands of the endocrine pancreas, and some neuroendocrine glands.
Endocrine surgery types
- Thyroid surgery
Surgery of the thyroid gland constitutes the bulk of endocrine surgical procedures worldwide. This may be done for a variety of conditions, ranging from benign multinodular goiter to thyroid cancer. In the United Kingdom it was developed as a separate specialty from general surgery at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School by Dick Welbourne and John Lynn. Operations involve removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) either as a part of the gland (lobectomy or hemithyroidectomy), or the whole gland (total thyroidectomy). Incomplete resections (sub-total or near total thyroidectomy) are also infrequently performed, but are disfavored by most surgeons.
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- Parathyroid surgery
Removal of the parathyroid gland(s) is referred to as parathyroidectomy, usually performed for primary hyperparathyroidism.
- Adrenal surgery
adrenalectomy, i.e. surgical removal of the adrenal gland is done in conditions like Conn syndrome, pheochromocytoma, adreno-cortical cancer etc.
- Pancreatic surgery
Diseases of the endocrine pancreas occur very infrequently; these include insulinomas, gastrinomas etc. Surgery for these conditions range from simple tumor enucleation to more larger resections.
Development
Surgeons and physicians have advanced endocrine surgery by careful description of unusual patients and families with endocrine syndromes. Surgeons have also improved techniques for preparation for surgery and methods. Endocrine surgery is generally well developed. Endocrine surgery has developed as a sub-specialty surgical category because of the technical nature of these operations and the associated risks of operating in the neck.
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Endocrine surgery risks
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks associated with endocrine surgeries. Some risks associated with endocrine surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Changes in blood pressure
- Infection
- Heart/lung problems related to anesthesia
- Nerve injury
- Voice change
- Breathing difficulty
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What does an endocrine surgeon do?
Endocrine surgery is the surgical treatment of endocrine diseases. Endocrinologists and endocrine surgeons typically work closely together to provide the best care to patients afflicted with endocrine disorders. Some endocrine disorders treated with endocrine surgery include:
- Diabetes
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Grave’s disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Parathyroid carcinoma
- Adrenal cancer
- Thyroid cancer
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What are types of endocrine disorders?
Endocrinology is the branch of medicine that focuses on endocrine glands and hormones in the body. Hormones regulate many bodily functions; however, when a hormone imbalance occurs, it can have a variety of effects on the body. We provide treatment options for many types of metabolic and endocrine disorders, including:
- Adrenal Insufficiency
Adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, produce various hormones. Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient amounts of steroid hormones primarily cortisol, which regulates sodium conservation, potassium secretion, and water retention.
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of inherited genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands. A person with CAH lacks one of the enzymes the adrenal glands use to produce hormones that help regulate metabolism, the immune system, blood pressure, and other essential functions.
- Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism is a disease where the adrenal glands make too much aldosterone, a hormone that stimulates absorption of sodium by the kidneys and helps to regulate water and salt balance in the body. When too much aldosterone is produced, this leads to hypertension (high blood pressure) and low blood potassium levels.
- Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the deterioration of bone tissue and reduction of bone strength, making bones fragile. Osteoporosis makes the wrist, hip, spine and other parts of the skeleton vulnerable to fractures. Falls in people with osteoporosis can lead to serious health consequences.
- Pituitary Disorders
Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths that develop in your pituitary gland. Some pituitary tumors result in too many of the hormones that regulate important functions of the body; others can cause the pituitary gland to produce lower levels of hormones. Most pituitary tumors are noncancerous (benign) growths (adenomas). Adenomas remain in your pituitary gland or surrounding tissues and don't spread to other parts of your body.
- Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that is located in the front of the neck. This gland produces thyroid hormones that primarily influence the body's metabolism and protein synthesis. Abnormal cell growth in the thyroid gland can lead to thyroid cancer. The thyroid also can be affected by a variety of diseases, including:
- Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland, and the thyroid gland can't make enough thyroid hormone to keep the body running normally. Individuals are hypothyroid if they have too little thyroid hormone in the blood. Common causes are autoimmune disease, surgical removal of the thyroid, and radiation treatment.
- Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive and makes excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. When the thyroid gland is overactive, the body's processes speed up, and individuals may experience nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.
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What is the difference between endocrine and endocrinology?
Simply put, endocrinology is the study of endocrine glands. Endocrine glands are a group of glands in the body which secrete hormones. Endocrine surgery is the division of surgery which specializes in the surgical treatment of endocrine diseases. Endocrinologists and endocrine surgeons typically work closely together to provide the most advantageous care to patients afflicted with endocrine disorders. To be recognized as an endocrine surgeon (and a member of the American Association for Endocrine Surgeons), you have to devote a major portion of your surgical practice to endocrine disorders and have performed at least 100 endocrine operations. There aren't too many surgeons who specialize in endocrine surgery.
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