Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery Los Angeles

Not every thyroid condition requires surgery. The decision depends on your specific diagnosis, the results of imaging and biopsy, your symptoms, and your overall health. Surgery is typically recommended when a nodule is cancerous or suspicious, when it is large enough to cause symptoms, when hyperthyroidism cannot be managed with medication, or when a goiter is compressing nearby structures. A consultation with our ENT surgeons will help determine the best course of action for your individual situation.

Thyroid surgery is generally very safe when performed by an experienced head and neck surgeon. The most significant risks include injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (which can affect the voice) and low calcium levels after surgery. These complications are uncommon and further minimized through intraoperative nerve monitoring, careful surgical technique, and post-operative monitoring. Your surgeon will review all risks with you in detail before the procedure.

If you have a total thyroidectomy, yes. You will need to take levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone) daily for life, as your body can no longer produce its own. This medication is generally well-tolerated and taken as a once-daily pill. If you have a thyroid lobectomy (half the thyroid removed), you may retain enough thyroid function to avoid replacement therapy, though this varies by individual and is monitored through blood tests after surgery.

A thyroid nodule is a lump or growth within the thyroid gland. The vast majority, roughly 90 to 95 percent, are benign. However, some nodules are cancerous or have suspicious features on ultrasound or biopsy that warrant further evaluation. A nodule is considered potentially dangerous when it is rapidly growing, has irregular borders or abnormal blood flow on imaging, has suspicious or malignant cells on biopsy, or is causing compressive symptoms. Your ENT physician uses a combination of ultrasound, biopsy results, and clinical assessment to determine whether your nodule requires surgery.

Hyperparathyroidism is a condition in which one or more parathyroid glands produce excess parathyroid hormone (PTH), causing elevated blood calcium levels. The most common form, primary hyperparathyroidism, is usually caused by a single benign tumor (adenoma). Parathyroidectomy, the surgical removal of the overactive gland, is the only curative treatment and has a very high success rate when performed by an experienced surgeon. Medical management may be appropriate in some elderly patients or those with mild, asymptomatic disease, but surgery is the preferred approach for most patients.

The risk of voice changes after parathyroid surgery is low but exists because the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the vocal cords, runs in close proximity to the surgical field. At SCENTAA, we use continuous intraoperative nerve monitoring during all thyroid and parathyroid procedures to identify and protect this nerve throughout the operation. Temporary hoarseness can occur but typically resolves within a few weeks. Permanent voice changes are uncommon in experienced surgical hands.

Operative time varies depending on the type and complexity of the procedure. A minimally invasive parathyroidectomy for a single adenoma typically takes 45 to 90 minutes. A thyroid lobectomy generally takes 1 to 2 hours, while a total thyroidectomy may take 2 to 3 hours or more, particularly if lymph node dissection is included. Your surgeon will provide a more specific estimate based on your individual case during the pre-operative consultation.

Incisions for thyroid and parathyroid surgery are made in a low, horizontal position along a natural skin crease in the neck, which helps conceal the scar as it heals. Most patients find that with time, the scar fades significantly and becomes difficult to see. We can also recommend scar management strategies after surgery, such as silicone gel sheeting or sunscreen protection, to further optimize the cosmetic outcome. The final appearance of the scar depends on individual healing factors such as skin type and age.

A thyroid lobectomy removes only one lobe of the thyroid gland, while a total thyroidectomy removes the entire gland. The choice between the two depends on the diagnosis, the size and location of the problem, and whether cancer is present or suspected. A lobectomy is preferred when the abnormality is confined to one side and the risk of cancer is low or localized, as it preserves some thyroid function and reduces the likelihood of needing lifelong hormone replacement. A total thyroidectomy is preferred for larger cancers, bilateral disease, Graves' disease, and large goiters. 

Most thyroid cancers, particularly the most common types (papillary and follicular), are highly treatable and associated with excellent long-term survival rates. Papillary thyroid cancer, the most common form, has a 10-year survival rate exceeding 95 percent for most patients when treated appropriately. Medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancers carry a less favorable prognosis and require more aggressive treatment. Early detection and treatment by an experienced surgical team are key factors in achieving the best possible outcomes.

A referral from a primary care physician, endocrinologist, or other specialist is a common starting point, but it is not always required. If you have already been evaluated and have imaging or biopsy results in hand, you can contact SCENTAA directly to schedule a surgical consultation. Our team will review your records, perform any additional evaluation needed, and help you understand whether surgery is the right next step.

Your surgeon and the pre-operative nursing team will provide detailed instructions tailored to your specific procedure. In general, preparation includes stopping certain blood-thinning medications in advance of surgery, fasting from midnight before the procedure, arranging for someone to drive you home, and ensuring any required pre-operative testing (bloodwork, EKG, imaging) has been completed. Patients with hyperthyroidism may need to be optimized with antithyroid medications or beta-blockers before surgery to reduce the risk of a thyroid storm during or after the operation.

Most patients with desk or sedentary jobs are able to return to work within 1 to 2 weeks after thyroid or parathyroid surgery. Those with physically demanding jobs or roles that require prolonged voice use may need a longer recovery period of 3 to 4 weeks. Your surgeon will assess your recovery at your post-operative visit and provide personalized guidance on returning to work, driving, and other activities. 

A sestamibi scan is a type of nuclear medicine imaging study that uses a small amount of radioactive material absorbed preferentially by overactive parathyroid tissue. When combined with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or CT imaging, it can precisely localize an abnormal parathyroid gland before surgery, enabling a minimally invasive approach. Not all patients have a clearly positive sestamibi scan, and in such cases, additional imaging or a bilateral neck exploration may be required.

Yes. SCENTAA offers telehealth consultations for patients who would like to discuss their diagnosis, review imaging or biopsy results, or explore surgical options remotely before coming in for an in-person evaluation. While a complete physical examination and pre-operative workup will ultimately require an office visit, a telehealth consultation can be an efficient and convenient way to start the conversation with our surgical team. Contact our office to determine whether a telehealth or in-person appointment is the right starting point for your situation.