Anatomic illustrations courtesy of 3DScience.com The Section of Endocrine Tumor Surgery within the Department of Surgery treats endocrine tumors in children and adults, with the goal of improving patient care through emerging technologies and advances in clinical and basic research. UCSD Endocrine Surgery represents selected surgeons with expertise in the surgical evaluation and management of thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreatic disease and cancer. Our internationally recognized surgeons perform state-of-the-art minimally invasive and traditional operations for the full range of endocrine diseases. Our emphasis is on the most successful surgery with the least pain, trauma, and recovery time. Our multidisciplinary team approach includes surgery, medical care and genetic counseling to treat a wide variety of endocrine diseases, including: Thyroid cancer Grave’s disease Parathyroid tumors Hyperparathyroidism Pancreatic tumors Adrenal tumors Pheochromocytoma Conn’s syndrome Familial papillary thyroid carcinoma Multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1 & 2 (MEN 1, MEN 2) Our highly skilled surgeons use state-of-the-art technology, including minimally invasive parathyroid surgery with the availability of intraoperative parathyroid (PTH) assay, intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroid and parathyroid surgery (see story at right), and laparoscopic adrenalectomy for candidates with adrenal disease.
Anatomic illustrations courtesy of 3DScience.com
The Section of Endocrine Tumor Surgery within the Department of Surgery treats endocrine tumors in children and adults, with the goal of improving patient care through emerging technologies and advances in clinical and basic research.
UCSD Endocrine Surgery represents selected surgeons with expertise in the surgical evaluation and management of thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreatic disease and cancer. Our internationally recognized surgeons perform state-of-the-art minimally invasive and traditional operations for the full range of endocrine diseases.
Our emphasis is on the most successful surgery with the least pain, trauma, and recovery time. Our multidisciplinary team approach includes surgery, medical care and genetic counseling to treat a wide variety of endocrine diseases, including:
Our highly skilled surgeons use state-of-the-art technology, including minimally invasive parathyroid surgery with the availability of intraoperative parathyroid (PTH) assay, intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroid and parathyroid surgery (see story at right), and laparoscopic adrenalectomy for candidates with adrenal disease.
Nerve Integrity Monitor:
New Tool for Patient Safety During Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery at UCSD
Each year, thousands of people in the U.S. undergo neck surgery for thyroid or parathyroid gland problems. UCSD’s surgeons are now using a new device to help make neck surgery safer.
Dr. Michael Bouvet is one of the UCSD surgeons using a new device to monitor the health of the vocal nerves during neck surgery. Damage to the vocal nerves (recurrent laryngeal nerves) is one of the major risks of surgery to the thyroid or parathyroid glands.
The device, called a Nerve Integrity Monitor, or NIM, tells the surgeon exactly where the nerves are located. The NIM uses both sound and pictures to alert the surgeon when a surgical instrument comes close to one of the vocal nerves.
Special sensors in the patient’s breathing tube allow the surgeon to monitor the vocal nerves throughout the surgery. In addition, the surgeon may use a hand-held probe to confirm the location of a nerve at any time during the operation.
The location of the vocal nerves can vary greatly from one person to another. Damage to the vocal nerves can affect a patient’s voice and even cause difficulties in swallowing or breathing.
The NIM is manufactured by Medtronic, Inc., a major producer of medical and scientific equipment for professionals and patients.