Minimally-invasive, Video-assisted Thyroidectomy

Swedish head and neck surgeons offer minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. In select patients, we are often capable of removing thyroid or parathyroid lesions through an incision on the neck that is less than an inch long.

Traditionally, the incisions are three to four inches long and often alter an individual's self perception. Because scars in the neck can be very visible, minimizing these potential scars can improve the outcome of thyroidectomies and parathyroidectomies.

Our head and neck surgeons utilize specialized high-definition endoscopes to access the thyroid and parathyroid gland through tiny incisions. Typically, with the MIVAT technique, most patients are able to go home on the day of surgery with minimal post-operative pain. The incision is closed using surgical glue, and patients can often bathe the next day.