What is endocrine surgery?

Endocrine surgery is a branch of general surgery that involves treating conditions affecting the adrenal, parathyroid and thyroid glands. Most endocrine procedures involve removing a portion of the entire gland, depending on the severity of the disease. These glands play an essential role in the release of hormones that enable your body to thrive. However, the glands may become affected by diseases, only enabling a slow or minimal release of hormones.

Types of endocrine surgeries

• Adrenalectomy
  is a procedure to remove one or a pair of adrenal glands. The adrenal glands rest at the top of the kidneys and secrete hormones that regulate our metabolism, blood pressure, blood glucose and immune system. An adrenalectomy is performed to treat an adrenal gland that secretes excess hormones or removes a tumour in the gland.
• Thyroidectomy
  is the surgical resection of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is in a similar shape to a butterfly located at the front of the neck's base. The gland releases vital hormones that control your body’s growth and metabolism. A thyroidectomy is done to remove the thyroid gland in the event of thyroid cancer, goitre, hyperthyroidism and thyroid nodules.

How is endocrine surgery performed?

Adrenalectomy

An adrenalectomy is performed openly or less invasively. Dr Viljoen creates small incisions over the abdomen or back, depending on the technique he decides on. Normally, he inserts the laparoscope, which is a bendable, light-equipped tube, through one of the incisions in the abdomen. Then, Dr Viljoen uses other small surgical instruments to remove the affected adrenal gland through the other openings.

Conversely, during open surgery, Dr Viljoen operates through a large incision over the front of the abdomen. The point where Dr Viljoen decides to make the incision depends on the location, grade and size of the tumour.

Thyroidectomy

A thyroidectomy can be done through a traditional open approach or via small incisions. The conventional approach involves creating an incision in the middle of the neck to reach and remove the affected parts of the thyroid gland.

The less invasive surgical approach involves creating tiny incisions in the front of the