Cranshaw, Isaac

Definitions

The endocrine system consists of several glands (groups of cells), in different parts of the body, which discharge hormones directly into the bloodstream. Hormones have many different importantfunctions and ways of acting on organs of the body. During endocrine surgery procedures are performed on endocrine glands, usually to increase or decrease hormonal effects in the body. It often involves removing a tumour that has grown on or within an endocrine gland. Common endocrine surgery operations are removal of the thyroid gland located in the neck (thyroidectomy) and removal of the parathyroid glands located near the thyroid gland (parathyroidectomy). More rarely, surgery may remove one or both of the adrenal glands located near the kidneys (adrenalectomy).moreGeneral surgery takes its name from general medicine, and is a surgical specialty focusing on the torso and abdominal organs. This may include the intestines comprising the oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. It also often deals with diseases and disorders involving the skin and breasts.moreThe thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam’s apple, wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). It produces hormones which help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure,body temperature and metabolism (the rate at which food is converted into energy). Thyroid disorders can include an overactive gland, called hyperthyroidism, or an underactive gland, called hypothyroidism. Both can result in an enlarged thyroid gland. Sometimes surgery is required to remove the thyroid gland. A thyroid nodule is a small swelling or lump in the thyroid gland. They are usually examined with imaging such as ultrasound or MRI, and a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, a relatively painless procedure to take tissue fluid samples from the nodule. Thyroid surgery may be required when: the biopsy indicates the nodule is cancerous; the nodules are getting bigger; or the trachea or oesophagus is compressed because the thyroid is very large. Thyroid surgery involves removing part or all of the thyroid gland, under general anaesthesia. Usually, the lobe of the thyroid gland containing the nodule lump is removed. An analysis of tissue will determine if the rest of the thyroid gland should be removed, during the same surgery. (Alternatively, surgery may be done at a later date.)more