Endocrine Surgery
Endocrine surgery involves surgery on one of the glands of the endocrine system, each of which produces specific hormones. When these hormones are released into the bloodstream, they regulate many complex processes of the body, including digestion and metabolism, immune function, growth, and sexual and reproductive function. In most cases, endocrine surgery requires the complete removal of the affected gland.
The Endocrine Glands
All of the glands in the body which produce hormones are considered part of the endocrine system. They include the following:
- Adrenal glands
- Hypothalamus
- Ovaries
- Pancreatic Islet cells
- Parathyroid
- Pineal gland
- Pituitary gland
- Testes
- Thymus
- Thyroid
Causes of Endocrine Disorders
There are varied causes for dysfunction of the endocrine glands, any of which may cause too much or too little hormone secretion. Such hormone imbalance seriously affects bodily function. The cause of endocrine dysfunction may include the following:
- Genetic disorders
- Infection of an endocrine gland
- Tumor on an endocrine gland
- Injury to an endocrine gland
- Disturbance in the endocrine feedback system
While most endocrine tumors are noncancerous, such tumors may interfere with hormone production and require surgical removal.
Types of Endocrine Disorders
There are a number of endocrine disorders, diabetes being the most common. The following are some other disorders of the endocrine system:
- Addison's disease
- Cushing's disease
- Conn's disease
- Growth problems such as acromegaly or hypopituitarism
- Hyperthyroidism or Grave's disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia, a rare genetic disorder
- Precocious puberty
Some endocrine disorders are treated by specialists other than endocrinologists. In the case of pancreatic cancer, a gastroenterologist and oncologist are involved, while testicular problems are frequently handled by a urologist.
Endocrine Surgery Procedures
In most cases, as previously noted, endocrine surgery involves the removal of the affected gland. The most commonly performed endocrine surgery is a thyroidectomy, the removal of the thyroid gland. Less commonly performed is a parathyroidectomy, or removal of the parathyroid gland. Adrenal glands are removed much more rarely, during a procedure known as an adrenalectomy. More and more frequently, endocrine surgery is being performed laparoscopically which results in less pain, less scarring, and shorter recovery time.
Risks of Endocrine Surgery
Risks are inherent in any surgical procedure, however safe. These include the following:
- Excessive bleeding
- Blood clots
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia or medications
- Post-surgical infection
- Damage to adjacent organs
- Breathing problems
- Hernia at the incision site
Recovery from Endocrine Surgery
In addition to the usual period of rest and avoidance of strenuous activity following any surgery, the patient who has had endocrine surgery may have to cope with other life changes. For patients who have thyroid or parathyroid surgery, there will be a period of hoarseness after the surgery due to the location of the incision. After the surgical removal of an endocrine gland, the patient will have to take hormone replacements to keep the body functioning normally. The patient will also need to have periodic blood tests to ensure that hormone levels remain within normal limits.