New approach to Thyroid Surgery eliminates neck scar

- Minimally invasive approach allows surgeons to remove thyroid tumors by way of the armpit
- Note: Sublimis Argentina offers affordable thyroid surgery abroad. Feel free to contact us for further information

As the rate of thyroid cancer continues to climb, doctors are urging patients to be more cautious about thyroid nodules, a common disorder that is responsible for a small but growing number of thyroid cancer cases. Thyroid nodules affect nearly 13 million Americans and are a result of abnormal cell growth on the gland. Until recently, the only way to remove nodules and rule out cancer was through surgery that required a five centimeter incision across the front of the neck. The procedure, and the large scar that resulted, was a deterrent for many patients who feared altering their appearance for something that may not be life threatening. Today however, a new option exists that allows surgeons to access the neck through the armpit, allowing for a biopsy of tissue with no visible scar.

“We now have a minimally invasive way of determining if a thyroid nodule is cancerous,” said Jose Dutra, MD, head and neck surgical oncologist and director of the Thyroid Surgical Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “It’s an approach that more patients are comfortable pursuing. If we can identify cancerous cells earlier we increase the chance of removing the cancer before it spreads.”

The procedure, transaxillary robotic thyroid surgery, utilizes 3D cameras and specially designed robotic arms to create a small incision within the armpit, the mechanical arms work just like hands allowing the specialized surgeon to operate remotely with precise control and movements to remove suspicious nodules.

“The underarm area has fewer nerve endings than the anterior neck area, so there’s less pain, no scarring on the neck, and with good care, the incision will heal faster,” said Dutra who is also an associate professor at the department of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

This summer, Socorro Delaluz became one of the first patients at Northwestern Memorial to undergo transaxillary thyroid robotic surgery. The mother of two was impressed to have the option that left no visible scar and the quick recovery associated with the technique.

“I didn’t want to be reminded constantly, every morning when I get dressed that I had a scar across my neck. I would have to explain to everyone what happened all the time,” expressed Delaluz.

Another benefit of the minimally invasive approach is that the precision of the robot allows physicians to remove all of the potentially cancerous tissue while sparing more of the structure surrounding the gland.

“The thyroid gland controls how the body uses energy. Changes to the gland can cause a myriad of health issues,” explained Dutra, member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

Thyroid nodules are six-times more common in women than men and can be difficult to diagnose because they often do not present signs or symptoms. Most nodules are small and are often found incidentally during a routine physical or imaging for an unrelated condition. Conditions that can cause one or more nodules to develop in the thyroid gland range from overgrowth of normal thyroid tissue, tumors, a cyst, inflammation and goiters. Individuals should routinely check their neck and should talk with their doctor if they notice any lumps or experience symptoms such as swelling, trouble swallowing, and pain in the throat or hoarseness of the voice.

Robotic surgery is currently widely used for minimally invasive heart and lower abdominal procedures, only recently have the robotic arms been applied to the confined space involved in neck and head surgery. The benefits for robotic thyroid surgery include shorter recovery period, less pain in neck following surgery and better preservation of the laryngeal nerves and the parathyroid glands.

Jennifer Panaro recently had a large nodule removed from her thyroid gland by way of transaxillary thyroid robotic surgery and was back on the tennis court just six weeks after her surgery. The 28 year old was impressed with the speedy recovery and was pleased her voice was protected. “I was thrilled to not experience any changes in my voice or to have deal with a large scar on my neck. As an accountant, I talk to clients all day and I would be self conscious about having a foreign mark across my throat,” said Panaro, patient at Northwestern Memorial.

While the new technology has great advantages, Dutra stresses this option is not the best for all patients and not all tumors can be removed with this approach.

Information about the Minimally Invasive Surgery

For this technique the surgeon creates a surgical field and the surgery is performed using small instruments and a high-definition camera to provide magnified images on a monitor.

An inert mesh is used in the affected area to reinfoce the adominal wall without generating tension. The surgery can thus be performed with three incisions of 3 to 5 mm each, and the detailed, magnified images allow the suregon to perform the surgery with great confidence, minimizing complications.

How is the surgery performed?

On the Day of Surgery:

Typically, the patient is admitted to the hospital during the morning and after the surgery, the patient stays under supervision in the recovery room until he/she is fully awake. After a variable period of observation, the patient is discharged on the day of the surgery or the following day.

After the Surgery:

You will be able to perform normal activities having to avoid big efforts. Physical activities can be resumed within 15 to 20 days after the surgery.

Benefits of this type of surgery:

Less pain: Faster healing time and less pain.

Maximum comfort: quicker return to normal activities.

Aesthetic: Less noticeable scars (2 to 4 mm).

Shorter Hospital Stay: Hospital discharge within 12 to 36 hours.

Procedures performed using the minimally invasive technique:

General Surgery: Inguinal Hernia, Vesicle, Appendix, Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease, Small and Large Intestine Diseases, and so on.

Endocrine Surgery: Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Suprarenal Glands, and so on.

Other Specialties: Gynecology, Urology, Traumatology, and so on.

Mini Invasive surgeries are performed by Doctor Norman Jalil and Doctor Juan Sanchez Pulgar

10 Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Predictions for 2009

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the leading national organization of board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic surgery, offers its predictions for cosmetic surgery in 2009. Predictions are based on interviews with leading plastic surgeons around the country.

* Aesthetic Medicine has seen a dramatic increase in the diversity of the patients treated over the past decade and this trend is expected to continue to grow stronger than ever, with applications that cater to all people. The appeal of both aesthetic surgery and cosmetic medicine will continue to spread across the spectrum of our population, as plastic surgeons further tailor treatments to meet the sometimes unique needs of that expanding population.

* The growth and popularity of cosmetic fillers (Evolence, Juvederm, Restylane, etc.) will continue to increase as products continue to evolve and new players enter the market.

* As our population increasingly realizes the dangers and health consequences of obesity, the number of patients seeking plastic surgery procedures for body contouring after dramatic weight loss (abdominoplasty, lower body lift, upper arm lift, etc.) will rise in 2009.

* Reloxin (an injectable form of Botulinum Toxin Type A) will gain FDA approval and compete with Botox (the most popular cosmetic procedure for the past 5 years) and other similar products may begin to enter pre-market clinical trials.

* Consumers looking for a bargain on cosmetic procedures will unfortunately lead to an increase in horror stories about “discount injectables” bought offshore and cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgical procedures performed by untrained or poorly trained practitioners.

* Experimental techniques for non-invasive fat removal (SonoScultpt, UltraShape) as a future alternative or adjunct to liposuction (lipoplasty) surgery, will continue be tested in clinical trials.

* Men will represent a growing segment of the aesthetic surgery market. (According to a February 2008 consumer survey commissioned by ASAPS, 57 percent of men approve of cosmetic surgery, and 20 percent would consider having cosmetic surgery. Seventy-nine percent (79%) of American men surveyed said they would not be embarrassed if people in addition to their family and close friends knew they had undergone cosmetic surgery.)

* As the popularity of non surgical and minimally invasive procedures continues to grow; surgeons and manufacturers will develop new techniques and products that advance the science, produce even better results and lessen recovery time.

* Following the trend in increased consumer sophistication regarding healthcare choices, board certification of practitioners, and accreditation of surgical facilities will play an even more important role in choosing a cosmetic surgeon.

For more information about minimally invasive procedures, get a free quotation with Doctor Norman Jalil.

Get any cosmetic procedure done by Doctor Roberto Martinez Rinaldi.

Source: www.surgery.org