Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. It regulates growth, development and metabolism. The four parathyroid glands are very small and sit on top of the thyroid gland. Parathyroid glands regulate the body’s calcium levels. People who have a disorder or tumor in the thyroid gland, or the four parathyroid glands, may need surgery to remove the tumor or all or part of the gland. General surgeons or head and neck surgeons usually perform the surgery, after consultation with a patient’s endocrinologist and primary care physician.