The thyroid gland is a small organ that sits in the front of the neck wrapped around the windpipe, generating hormones that affect the body’s metabolism. There are a range of conditions that might require Thyroid Surgery.
Parathyroid glands are normally found between the trachea (windpipe) and the thyroid gland, controlling the level of calcium in your body. The most common reason for surgery is due to high blood calcium levels.
Thyroid nodules are very common and the vast majority of them need no treatment. Surgery may be required if the nodule is ‘overactive’, causing significant compressive symptoms or when there is a risk of thyroid cancer. Your thyroid nodule will be assessed by a variety of means which can include blood tests, ultrasound scan, or fine needle biopsy.
Thyroid cancer is quite common and in most cases very treatable. A diagnosis of cancer will be distressing even with the knowledge that it can normally be cured. Here you can find out more about thyroid cancer and links to additional information and support.
Find the answers to common questions about recovering from neck surgery here.
Adrenal nodules can cause problems due to the excessive production of hormones or because of a risk of cancer. After a thorough assessment, surgery can usually be avoided for most adrenal nodules.
In the event that surgery is required most adrenal gland problems can be treated with minimally invasive ‘keyhole’ surgery, allowing a rapid return to normal life.
Gallstones are very common and the symptoms they cause can be very distressing. Removal of the gallstones by removing the gallbladder treats the symptoms they cause and prevents more stones from forming. In almost all cases the gallbladder can be removed by minimally invasive or ‘keyhole’ surgery.
Groin hernias are reasonably common but patients suffer with hernias in other parts of the abdomen too, especially in areas where there is a weakness or at the site of previous surgery. If hernias are causing symptoms, surgery is usually recommended to repair them. Hernia surgery often involves the use of synthetic mesh and this is a safe and reliable way of fixing the problem. Hernias can often be repaired using ‘keyhole’ surgery.
Many people suffer with skin lumps or bumps just below the surface of the skin. These can be painful or unsightly, and in some cases there is a risk of cancer. Surgery to remove skin lumps or bumps is usually just a day-case procedure, often performed under local anaesthetic, meaning that the patient doesn’t need to spend the night in hospital.
