A) Minimally invasive thyroid surgery

Minimally invasive thyroid surgery is the removal of one half or whole thyroid gland through a small mid neck incision. Majority of the patients have this procedure performed under local anesthesia with neck block (regional anesthesia) with general sedation (like with colonoscopy procedures). The others may have it done under general anesthesia, especially if nerve monitoring is performed. The incision is placed in the natural skin crease.  It includes video-assisted or endoscopic thyroidectomy, when surgeon uses camera to magnify the view. This technique makes the healing process faster and with minimum scar formation. Surgeon does not use any drains. Skin is closed either with subcuticular sutures (under the skin, dissolvable) or without any sutures by using a skin glue. It is usually same day surgery. Patient stay in the hospital postoperatively 6 hr for observation.

B) Minimally invasive parathyroid surgery  

Minimally invasive parathyroid surgery is the removal of one or several parathyroid adenomas through a small transverse mid neck incision. The incision is placed in the natural skin crease.  It includes video-assisted or endoscopic parathyroidectomy, when surgeon uses camera to magnify the view. This technique makes the healing process faster and with minimum scar formation. In order to do minimally invasive approach preoperative studies to localize adenoma are used, which include preoperative neck ultrasound and Sestamibi (parathyroid) scan. I am also utilizing intra-operative parathyroid hormone (PTH) monitoring to determine the cure after the removal of parathyroid adenoma.  Majority of the patients have this procedure performed under local anesthesia with neck block (regional anesthesia) with general sedation (like with colonoscopy procedures). About 85 % of the patients with primary hyperparathyroidism will have just one parathyroid adenoma. Surgeon does not use any drains. Skin is closed either with subcuticular sutures (under the skin, dissolvable) or without any sutures by using a skin glue. It is usually same day surgery. Patient stays in the hospital postoperatively 3 hr for observation.

C) Minimally invasive adrenal surgery

Minimally invasive adrenal surgery is laparoscopic removal of adrenal tumor through the abdominal or back approaches. There will be 3 - 4 small incisions instead of one large as it used to be in a past.  This technique makes the healing process faster and with minimum scar formation. Patient is staying in the hospital over night and goes home the next day.