Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy Options

Thyroid surgery with less pain and faster recovery.

Our team offers many less-invasive alternatives to traditional thyroid surgery, including endoscopic thyroidectomy, also known as minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT). Our doctors are some of the only surgeons in Michigan who perform this procedure.

How does endoscopic thyroidectomy work?

This procedure uses an endoscope, which is a thin tube that includes a light and a high-definition camera. A small incision is made in the patient’s neck and the endoscope is inserted through the opening.

The endoscope gives a very detailed view of the thyroid gland and many important structures that are near it, including the nerves to the larynx (voice box), the parathyroid glands and major blood vessels.

Thyroid disorders we treat with minimally invasive thyroidectomy

We use endoscopic thyroidectomy and other minimally invasive procedures to treat patients with a number of thyroid disorders, including:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Small thyroid goiters
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid nodules

Benefits of minimally invasive thyroidectomy

Some of the benefits of minimally invasive thyroidectomy as compared to traditional thyroid surgery include:

• Can be performed under local anesthesia if patients prefer
• Faster recovery
• Less pain
• No need for sutures or drains
• Outpatient surgery in nearly all cases
• Reduced scarring after surgery
• Smaller incisions