TSC Rutherford
515 StoneCrest Pkwy | Suite 230
Smyrna, TN 37167
TEL 615.223.9935 FAX 615.891.5046
Scarless Thyroid Surgery
Does thyroid surgery leave a scar?
In contrast, scarless transoral endocrine surgery (TES) allows surgeons to operate on the thyroid and parathyroid through small incisions in the mouth and by use of endoscopic instruments. As a result, TES leaves no external scars on the patient’s neck, which is why it is a popular option for thyroid surgery patients.
Our Surgeons
The Surgical Clinic has a variety of surgeons who specialize in thyroid & parathyroid surgery throughout Middle Tennessee.
Types of scarless thryoid surgery
Through novel transoral surgery, surgeons can remove diseased tissue from the neck through the following procedures:
→ Total Thyroidectomy
→ Partial Thyroidectomy
→ Parathyroidectomy
→ Thyroid Lobectomy
Is Transoral Thyroid Surgey Safe?
According to Dr. Joshua Taylor, this method of surgery began here in the United States in 2015. Johns Hopkins in Maryland performs the highest volume in transoral endocrine surgery currently. However, transoral thyroid and parathyroid surgery is steadily becoming more widely accepted across the country and it is both safe and effective.
Thyroid Surgery Without Scars
Transoral thyroid surgery is performed through the lip and is essentially performed the same as traditional surgery – without leaving a scar.
We can remove one side of the thyroid or both sides of a total thyroid. We can also remove some of the lymph nodes that live in the lower neck, if that’s necessary. In addition, we can perform parathyroid surgeries. Parathyroid glands are the little small glands that live behind the thyroid that are sometimes affected during surgery – these can also we removed through this transoral (through the lip) approach.
Thyroid Surgeon
Who performs scarless thyroid surgery?
Dr. Joshua Taylor is currently the only surgeon at The Surgical Clinic to perform this surgery in Smyrna, TN. He attended a medical training course at Johns Hopkins where he focused on this procedure. As an experienced thyroid surgeon, he specializes in robotic & minimally invasive treatments of the thyroid like RF Ablation of the thyroid/parathyroid nodules.
HOW IS SCARLESS THYROID SURGERY PERFORMED?
Transoral thyroid surgery is performed through the lip and is essentially performed the same as traditional surgery – without leaving a scar.
We can remove one side of the thyroid or both sides of a total thyroid. We can also remove some of the lymph nodes that live in the lower neck, if that’s necessary. In addition, we can perform parathyroid surgeries. Parathyroid glands are the little small glands that live behind the thyroid that are sometimes affected during surgery – these can also we removed through this transoral (through the lip) approach.
Conditions Treated with Thyroid Surgery
Transoral Thyroid Surgery (Scarless Thyroidectomy)
With the scarless thyroidectomy, we are able to treat all types of endocrine disease relating to the thyroid and parathyroid glands. As mentioned, if the nearby lymph nodes in the neck and around the thyroid need to be removed, we can remove them during this procedure.
Specific conditions we can treat include: Small to Medium Thyroid Cancer Nodules, Grave’s Disease, Hyperthyroidism and Hyperparathyroidism.
Read more on Thyroid Cancer
During Thyroid Surgery
Transoral Thyroid Surgery
Once the patient is sedated, Transoral (Scarless) Thyroid Surgery begins with making three incisions behind the lip where surgical access ports are placed. Next, surgeons use a special pillow to align the patient’s neck while using endoscopic surgical tools to operate on the thyroid gland, parathyroid gland or surrounding lymph nodes.
After the diseased tissue is removed, it is placed in a small pouch and extracted from the neck through the surgical ports. When the surgery is completed, the ports are removed and the incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures.
After Thyroid Surgery
Thyroid Surgery Recovery for Transoral Thyroid Surgery
Patients usually spend the first night after surgery in the hospital for monitoring. Typically, patients are sent home the next day. The sutures will be absorbed into the body within the next few days, and we usually have patients wear a compression garment around their neck to reduce swelling and promote healing.
For the first day after surgery, we place patients on a liquid diet, and then we have them introduce soft foods the next day. After about three days, patients should be able to start reintroducing solid foods.
It is important that patients keep their mouths especially clean for the first few days after surgery. We recommend that patients rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash after eating to ensure the incisions do not become infected.
Thyroid Surgery Risks
What are the risks of Scarless Thyroid Surgery?
The risks are similar to the risks of traditional thyroid and parathyroid surgery. The instructions for your recovery can prevent many of these risks, but others may be related to your medical history. When you consult with your surgery, make sure to thoroughly review you and your family’s health history in order to mitigate your risks.
The risks of thyroid surgery Include:
Infection, Swelling, Nerve Damage, Voice Hoarseness, Temporary,Voice Change, Breathing Problems from Anesthesia, Changes in Blood Pressure