What is Endocrine Surgery?
Endocrine surgery involves surgical procedures on the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas, which regulate many of the body’s hormonal functions. These operations are performed to remove benign or malignant tumors, cysts, nodules, or hormonally active glands that cause health problems such as hormone imbalances, metabolic disorders, or cancer.
Why is Endocrine Surgery Needed?
Patients may require endocrine surgery for conditions such as:
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Thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer
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Hyperthyroidism or goiter
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Parathyroid adenomas or hyperparathyroidism
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Adrenal tumors (benign or malignant)
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Hormone-secreting tumors of the pancreas (insulinoma, gastrinoma)
The goal is to restore hormonal balance, prevent long-term complications, and treat cancer effectively.
Types of Endocrine Surgery
At Büyük Anadolu Hospital, we offer the following procedures:
Thyroidectomy
A surgical procedure to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. It is commonly performed for thyroid nodules, goiter, hyperthyroidism, or thyroid cancer. The goal is to restore hormonal balance, relieve pressure symptoms, and remove cancerous tissue completely.
Parathyroidectomy
A surgical procedure to remove one or more of the parathyroid glands. It is usually performed to treat parathyroid adenomas or hyperparathyroidism, conditions that cause elevated calcium levels in the blood. The goal is to restore calcium balance and prevent complications such as kidney stones, bone loss, and muscle weakness.
Adrenalectomy
A surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands. It is usually performed to treat benign tumors (such as adenomas) or hormone-producing tumors (such as pheochromocytoma or cortisol- and aldosterone-secreting tumors). In some cases, it is also used to remove malignant (cancerous) masses. The goal is to restore hormonal balance and eliminate tumor-related health issues.
Pancreatic Endocrine Tumor Removal
A surgical procedure to remove tumors arising from hormone-producing cells of the pancreas. These tumors often include insulinomas, gastrinomas, or glucagonomas, which secrete excessive hormones. The surgery aims to control hormone overproduction, relieve symptoms, and remove cancerous tissue. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention significantly improve treatment outcomes.
How is Endocrine Surgery Performed?
Anesthesia: General anesthesia
Techniques: Minimally invasive (laparoscopic, robotic) or traditional open surgery depending on the case
Hospital Stay: 2–5 days on average
Recovery: Most patients return to normal life within 2–3 weeks
Follow-up: Long-term monitoring of hormone levels and overall health
Recovery After Endocrine Surgery
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Early Recovery: 2–3 weeks
Return to Work: Usually within 2–4 weeks depending on the surgery type
Long-term Care: Some patients may need lifelong medication (e.g., thyroid hormone replacement)
Regular Follow-ups: Blood tests and imaging to ensure hormonal balance
Possible Risks & Our Preventive Measures
| Possible Risks | Our Preventive Measures |
|---|---|
| Temporary hoarseness or voice changes | Use of advanced nerve monitoring during surgery |
| Calcium imbalance (after parathyroid/thyroid surgery) | Regular calcium checks and supplementation |
| Infection or bleeding | Strict surgical protocols & preventive antibiotics |
| Hormonal imbalance after adrenal/pancreatic surgery | Personalized endocrine and medical follow-up |
| Rare surgical complications | 24/7 intensive care support and early intervention |
Endocrine Surgery FAQ
In total thyroidectomy patients, yes, thyroid hormone replacement will be prescribed. In partial cases, medication may not be necessary.
With minimally invasive techniques, scars are very small and fade over time.
Most can, but complex or large tumors may require open surgery.
Yes, with advanced technology and experienced surgeons, complication rates are very low.