Endocrine Surgery Overview
The endocrine system helps regulate many of your body’s most important functions, including metabolism, growth, energy levels, blood pressure and hormone balance. When a gland within this system becomes diseased or develops a tumor, surgery may be recommended as part of your treatment plan.
Many endocrine conditions can be effectively managed without surgery. Our specialists with NGPG Endocrinology diagnose and treat hormone-related disorders using advanced testing, medications and ongoing monitoring. When surgery becomes necessary, endocrinologists work closely with NGPG endocrine surgeons to provide seamless, coordinated care.
Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville is Georgia’s first and only Center of Excellence in Endocrine Surgery accredited by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). This distinction recognizes hospitals and surgeons that meet rigorous standards for patient safety, quality and outcome. Learn more about Endocrine Surgery at NGHS.
Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Surgical Associates offers specialized procedures to treat endocrine conditions. These surgical procedures are designed to treat the underlying problem with the endocrine system and get you back to feeling your best.
What is the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that produce hormones, which help regulate many important body functions. These glands include the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, as well as the pancreas, ovaries and testicles.
These hormones help regulate:
- Metabolism
- Growth and development
- Sleep cycles
- Mood
- Reproduction
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar levels
- Calcium balance
- Fluid and electrolyte levels
When hormone production becomes abnormal, symptoms can affect nearly every system in the body.
What conditions affect the endocrine system?
Any part of the endocrine system can be affected by disease, injury or abnormal hormone production. Endocrine disorders can impact many areas of the body and may affect metabolism, growth, energy levels, blood pressure and calcium balance.
An endocrine surgeon treats a wide range of endocrine disorders, including:
- Adrenal disorders
- Adrenal tumors
- Cushing syndrome
- Goiter
- Graves’ disease
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hyperthyoidism
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Parathyroid disease
- Parathyroid cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Thyroid nodules
- Other thyroid disorders
Many thyroid and parathyroid conditions can be treated through specialized procedures performed by our endocrine surgery team. Learn more about Thyroid Conditions & Surgery.
How are endocrine conditions treated?
Conditions affecting the endocrine system can sometimes be treated effectively with lifestyle changes, medications and other nonsurgical therapies. In many cases, however, surgery is needed to diagnose or treat an endocrine condition.
Many patients are referred to an endocrine surgeon after imaging, laboratory testing or a biopsy identifies a condition affecting the thyroid, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands or other endocrine organs. Our team collaborates closely with primary care providers, endocrinologists and other specialists to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s needs.
Endocrine Surgery Procedures
Adrenalectomy
An adrenalectomy removes one or both adrenal glands. This procedure may be recommended for adrenal tumors, hormone-producing growths or other adrenal conditions.
Insulinoma Enucleation
Insulinoma enucleation removes a rare hormone-producing tumor of the pancreas while preserving as much healthy pancreatic tissue as possible.
Lymphadenectomy
A lymphadenectomy, also known as lymph node dissection, removes lymph nodes so they can be examined for cancer or removed as part of cancer treatment.
Neck Dissection
A neck dissection removes lymph nodes and surrounding tissue in the neck to treat cancer or reduce the risk of cancer spread.
Pancreatectomy
A pancreatectomy removes part or all of the pancreas when disease or tumors affect pancreatic function.
Pancreatic Enucleation
This procedure removes selected pancreatic tumors while preserving healthy tissue whenever possible.
Parathyroid Surgery
The four parathyroid glands regulate calcium levels in the body. Surgery may be recommended when one or more glands become overactive or develop disease. Learn more about parathyroid surgery and its recovery.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment option for some benign thyroid nodules. Using heat generated by radiofrequency energy, RFA can shrink nodules and improve symptoms while preserving the thyroid gland. In select patients, RFA may be an alternative to surgery. Learn more about if RFA is right for you and what to expect.
Thyroidectomy
A thyroidectomy removes part or all of the thyroid gland and may be recommended for thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, large goiters or certain thyroid nodules.
Choose NGPG for Endocrine surgery
The endocrine system is complex—and conditions affecting it require specialized surgical expertise. At NGPG Surgical Associates, our team provides comprehensive care for a wide range of endocrine conditions, including disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands.
Whenever possible we use minimally invasive techniques to perform endocrine surgery, offering our patients benefits such as a quicker recovery, reduced blood loss and a lower risk of complications. In some cases, we can even use robotic technology to perform these procedures, representing the latest advancements in surgical care.
To schedule an appointment with NGPG Surgical Associates, please call us today at 770-219-9200 or book an appointment, now.
