The thyroid is an important, butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower aspect of the central neck that has important functions, including regulating the body’s metabolic rate, growth, and metabolism. Various conditions of the thyroid may lead patients to require surgery, including cancer (papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma), goiter (multiple nodules that may cause enlargement of the gland, airway obstruction, or difficulty swallowing), or hyperthyroidism (Graves disease).
Thyroidectomy is incredibly common and safe in experienced hands. Surgeons must remove the thyroid gland (typically either half or whole) while preserving the recurrent laryngeal nerve (the nerve that allows the vocal cords to move) and the parathyroid glands (which regulate the body’s calcium. Your surgeon will work closely with your endocrinologist to ensure your thyroid hormone levels are at the optimal levels.
Eric M. Genden, MD, MHCA, FACS Dr. Isidore Friesner Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Professor of Neurosurgery and Immunology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Director, Head and Neck Institute-Center of Excellence for Head and Neck Cancer Mount Sinai Health System
Michael Berger, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Division of Otology-Neurotology, Lateral Skull Base Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
Raymond L. Chai, MD Associate Professor, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
Mohemmed Nazir Khan, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology Mount Sinai Union Square
Diana N. Kirke, MD Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery The Mount Sinai Hospital
Scott Allan Roof, MD Assistant Professor, Head and Neck Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
Marita S. Teng, MD Professor, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
Mark Urken, MD Chief, Division of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Co-Director, Institute for Head and Neck and Thyroid Cancer, Department of Otolaryngology, Mount Sinai Union Square Mount Sinai Health System
Zachary G. Schwam, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Division of Otology-Neurotology, Lateral Skull Base Surgery Mount Sinai Health System
