The human body has an endocrine system that secretes hormones that the body needs for breathing, metabolism, growth, and sensory perception, among other important body functions. Therefore, when your glands are not working correctly, your body can be affected in several ways. McKinney endocrine surgery focuses on treating disorders relating to the glands in your endocrine system to restore normal functioning. Endocrine surgery may remove a part or all of your affected gland, depending on the severity of your disorder. Here is a discussion of necessary information relating to endocrine surgery.
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Which Glands May Require Endocrine Surgery?
First, you may need endocrine surgery on your adrenal glands, responsible for making androgens that affect your reproductive health. Your adrenal glands also release cortisol when your body is under stress. Secondly, this surgery may apply to your parathyroid glands, which control the level of phosphorus and calcium in your body for bone development. Lastly, endocrine surgery can also work on your thyroid gland, a gland that affects how your body uses energy and makes heat.
What Are The Different Types of Endocrine Surgery?
Your doctor can perform endocrine surgery in different procedures, including adrenalectomy, which removes one or both of your adrenal glands. Surgery may also include parathyroidectomy, which removes one or more of the parathyroid glands. Your doctor can remove your thyroid gland in a procedure known as a thyroidectomy. Lastly, endocrine surgery may include pancreatectomy, where your doctor removes part or all of your pancreas.
What Happens Before Surgery?
Your doctor will ask you to stop eating and drinking a few hours before surgery. You may also need to avoid certain medications like vitamins and also quit smoking. Before surgery, your doctor will take you through different tests, including blood tests, diagnostic imaging tests, needle biopsy, and upper endoscopy.
What Can You Expect During Endocrine Surgery?
Your doctor will put you under general anesthesia so you will sleep throughout surgery. Your doctor may perform a laparoscopic surgery that involves a few tiny incisions. Then a laparoscope will go down your body to remove your land. You have a chance at a quicker and less painful recovery with laparoscopy. You can also expect robotic surgery, where your doctor combines laparoscopy and a robotic procedure to make small incisions for removing the diseased gland. Lastly, you may undergo open surgery, where your doctor cuts directly over your gland to remove the diseased gland.
What Should You Expect During Recovery?
Your doctor will ask you to spend a night in the hospital after surgery. You will likely have a sore throat and pain. Your doctor will instruct you to eat soft foods and drink cold beverages to ease a sore throat. You will also be on pain relievers to reduce pain and ease recovery.
Your body has organs called glands, responsible for releasing hormones that send messages to tissues to tell them how to keep the body healthy. When a gland fails in its functioning, your doctor will recommend endocrine surgery to correct improper functioning. Endocrine surgery will focus on your adrenal, parathyroid, and thyroid glands, depending on the affected gland. Your recovery will then depend on the type of endocrine disorder, your health, and the success of your treatment. Endocrine surgery will lower your risk of health disorders like hypertension, kidney stones, diabetes, and heart conditions.
