Thyroid And Parathyroid Surgery Specialist
-
- Tweet
Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists of Connecticut
Ear, Nose & Throat Doctors located in Milford, CT & Madison, CT
The thyroid and parathyroid glands are located in the neck. Since they're located close to the throat and voice box, surgery on these glands often requires the attention of an ENT. Patients preparing for thyroid or parathyroid surgery can trust the team at Ear Nose and Throat Specialists of Connecticut for help.Dr. Craig Hecht partners with endocrinologists and oncologists to ensure his patients have the best possible outcomes after surgery.
Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Q & A
What’s the thyroid?
The thyroid is a gland in the middle of the lower neck just below the voice box. It's responsible for the hormones that regulate metabolism, energy levels, and heart rate, among other things.
How long does thyroid surgery take?
The length of thyroid surgery depends on the type of surgery. Some procedures require just a few minutes, while others require several hours. Dr. Hecht will explain what to expect.
Is thyroid surgery successful?
Thyroid surgery has a high rate of success for both benign and malignant tumors. Patients who have cancer may need additional treatments to prevent recurrence. Typically the patient's endocrinologist and oncologist partner with surgeons for this treatment.
What’s the parathyroid?
The parathyroid glands are small glands located behind the thyroid. Everyone has 4 of these glands, which are about the size of a grain of rice, and they control calcium in the body.
What’s hyperparathyroidism?
Hyperparathyroidism is a condition that occurs when 1 or more of the parathyroid glands start working independently from the others, producing the parathyroid hormone when calcium levels are where they should be. This causes a spike in blood calcium levels that leads to a number of complications, including kidney stones. This typically occurs when a benign tumor develops in 1 of the glands.
Does parathyroid surgery have any risks?
All surgery has common risks of infection or reactions to anesthetic. An additional risk patients will want to be aware of is the risk of "negative exploration." This refers to a failure to remove all of the abnormal parathyroid glands. Dr. Hecht thoroughly examines patient scans to reduce this risk.
What can I expect after surgery?
Both thyroid and parathyroid surgery aren't exceptionally invasive, and patients often return home the same day as the surgery. These procedures can cause a sore throat when swallowing, but this symptom goes away within a few days. Mild-to-moderate pain for a few days is common and well controlled with pain medication. Once any sutures have been removed, patients return to their normal activities. Contact Ear Nose and Throat Specialists of Connecticut with any further questions.
Major Insurance Providers Accepted
At Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists of Connecticut, we accept most major insurance plans including Medicare. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed.
Words from our patients
-
"Dr. Hecht was dilligent in pursuing a cause for my symptoms and ultimately caught and corrected a life-threatening condition."
-
"Recently had a septoplasty performed by Dr. Astrachan and he did an amazing job and I'm only a week into my new nose. . Nose looks great and I can breathe once again..."
