The goal of our surgeons, anesthesiologists, pathologists, radiologists and specially trained nurses is to develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to your individual diagnosis and that will result in the best possible outcome.
In addition, all patients at the Center for Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgical Care are offered complimentary nurse navigation services. Our nurse navigator is an experienced registered nurse who is a dedicated resource, available to assist in coordinating every aspect of your care and recovery, and to help you and your family understand your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Tomer Davidov, MD, FACS, and Paul Frake, MD, are the co-directors of the Center for Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgical Care. They are expertly trained and have extensive experience with the surgical care of head and neck endocrine disorders.
PMC is part of Penn Medicine, one of the world’s leading academic medical centers. For our patients, this means that if more complex treatments are needed, specialized care is available and easily accessible.
Understanding Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery
After you’ve received a diagnosis that requires surgery, you’ll likely have many questions.
Our team is here to help guide and support you every step of the way. We will take the time to listen to your concerns and to be sure that you understand your procedure, and what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
Your Thyroid & Parathyroid
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the front of your neck, just below the Adam’s apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland have a significant impact on your health, affecting all aspects of your metabolism. When your thyroid is swollen, inflamed, or isn’t producing the proper level of hormones, you can develop a condition that requires medication and/or surgery. Although uncommon and often curable, thyroid cancer occurs when cells change or mutate. Effective treatment for thyroid cancer almost always requires surgery.
The parathyroid glands are four lentil/rice-sized glands that sit beneath the thyroid gland. Parathyroid glands release the hormone that controls the calcium levels in the blood stream. Patients with parathyroid disease often have blood calcium levels that are too high (hyperparathyroidism). Surgery is the only curative treatment available for primary hyperparathyroidism.
Your Surgery
When we’re developing your care plan, diagnostic testing such as blood tests, ultrasound, and/or fine needle aspiration are performed. The purpose of these tests is to help your physician better understand your condition and to ensure that surgery is the most effective treatment option.
For those patients who require surgery, our goal is to use the most advanced surgical techniques available to treat your disease and, combined with medications when needed, to restore your health.
Our surgeons perform thyroid and parathyroid surgeries through very small incisions in most all cases.
Prior to your procedure, your surgeon will discuss pre-operative testing and medication management — specifically if and when you should stop taking prescription medication and/or nutritional supplements.
In addition, a hospital representative will call you the day before your procedure to confirm your arrival time and provide directions from pre-admission testing regarding what you can eat or drink the night before and on the day of surgery. Prior to your surgery, alert your surgeon if you have had any changes in medications or your medical condition.
Our team of experts will take every measure possible to minimize surgical risks and avoid complications. Although complications are rare, they do sometime occur. Your surgeon will discuss possible complications and expectations during your pre-surgical visit.
What to Expect During Surgery Recovery
After surgery, you will be transported to the recovery room where a nurse will check your vital signs and monitor your progress. When you have recovered from anesthesia, your nurse will monitor your pain and administer medications as needed, and you’ll be encouraged to move around and resume eating and talking.
Patients can have different recovery experiences based on the complexity of the surgical procedure. Some patients are able to go home the same day, while others may need to remain in the hospital for observation and lab monitoring.
After thyroid or parathyroid surgery, some patients will require post-surgical testing, calcium supplementation, and/or hormone replacement medications.
After you are discharged, you will see your surgeon for at least one postoperative visit. Following this, our team may also transition further follow-up care to your endocrinologist and/or primary care physician.
Important Contact Information
For more information about the Center for Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgical Care at Princeton Medical Center, please contact:
Nurse navigator:
For non-urgent issues contact:
- Surgical Care Unit: 609.853.7950
- Pre-Admission Testing: 609.853.7360
- Patient Relations: 609.853.7490
- Main Hospital: 609.853.7000
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
