Parathyroid glands are part of the endocrine system, basically they are the four glands functioning is to produce hormones that maintain the calcium level in the body. These glands may become cancerous in that case the patient needs to go for parathyroid gland removal.
The point is the parathyroid glands are present in the neck region and are surrounded by the nerves. But the best surgeons for parathyroid surgery have that precision to work around all complexity while removing the parathyroid gland. Here is information that can help you while undergoing surgery.
Uses of Surgery
Surgeries are the best for Parathyroid disease treatment, there are cases that require the patient to undergo parathyroid surgery:
- Parathyroid gland tissues become cancerous or there is a chance of becoming cancerous.
- The structural problem may arise in which the parathyroid gland enlarges causing trouble in the activities like swallowing and breathing. Also, the voice of a person becomes hoarse.
- Functionality problems can also arise in the parathyroid gland, most common is the over-active parathyroid where the gland starts to produce more hormones than required by the body.
Types of surgery
In the case of tumor following are the parathyroid tumor surgery procedures that are used; these procedures can also be used to treat other Parathyroid diseases:
- Hemithyroidectomy, or lobectomy: In case the problem lies only in one part of the gland and can be treated by just removing that part. The other part is enough to keep the bodily function going. Most commonly it is done when the cancer is limited to one part or there is a low chance of cancer.
- Isthmusectomy: In case the isthmus becomes malignant there is a need to remove it. It is the group of tissues that connect the two lobes.
- Total Thyroidectomy: In some cases, the entire gland is removed from the person’s body.
Procedure
The surgeon and the medical staff will tell you all the necessary detail and instruction that you require before your parathyroid removal surgery. Before your surgery, you need to avoid eating and drinking. On the day of the surgery, as soon as you arrive at the hospital for surgery, medical staff will take you to the room where you need to put on a gown.
Then you will be taken to the surgical room for your surgical procedure. The anesthetic will provide you anesthesia after you been asleep with anesthetic your surgery will be performed. The surgeon will begin by making a small incision on your neck region for carefully removing your parathyroid glands either entirely or parts of it. Generally, the surgery takes about 2 hours or more.
After the completion of the surgery, you will be taken to a different room where you will be monitored and wake up from the anesthesia. You will be kept under the supervision of the medical staff for some time where they will monitor your breathing and bleeding. Generally, you can leave the same day after your Parathyroid removal surgery, depending on your health condition.
Risks and side effects
Risk is associated with all the surgical procedures by choosing the best surgeons for parathyroid surgery they can be minimized.
- infection
- bleeding
- injury to the nerves that control the voice box
- injury to a parathyroid gland
Side Effects
In the case of the thyroidectomy, the complete removal of the gland your doctor will monitor your calcium level and another vitamin level. If require the patient may need to undergo hormone replacement therapy along with Vitamin D supplement.
The patient may experience the following that is a sign of low calcium level:
- numbness tingling sensations
- Muscle cramps.
On finding these symptoms doctor will prescribe you hormone replacement, in case of thyroidectomy you may be provided vitamin D supplement along with hormone replacement therapy.
Recovery
The recovery after your parathyroid cancer treatment will take time, the patient can return to normal work on the next day of surgery. But still, they need to avoid doing heavy lifting or strenuous activities like sports. Ask your doctor when you can go for such a task, in case you feel pain doctor will prescribe a pain reliever tablet for you.
Outlook
Parathyroid removal surgery is a common surgical procedure for treating parathyroid gland related diseases. It is low-risk surgery which can go easily if you follow all the instructions provided by the surgeon.