Thyroid Disorders

These are only general guidelines and not meant to replace instructions from a physician. Please talk with your physician about your specific condition.

About The Condition

Thyroid glandThe thyroid, part of your endocrine system, is a small, butterfly-shaped gland on the front of your neck. It makes and regulates hormones that control your heart rate, blood pressure and metabolism. Thyroid disorders can include hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid caused by a number of conditions, including Hashimoto’s disease), hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid caused by conditions such as Graves’ disease), thyroid goiters (enlargement of the thyroid gland) and thyroid cancer. It is possible to have more than one of these conditions at the same time. Surgery for thyroid disorders is indicated for treatment of cancer and definitive diagnosis of thyroid nodules that are suspicious for cancer. Surgical removal of thyroid goiters may improve your breathing, sleep apnea and swallowing if the goiter is compressing your trachea or esophagus. Surgery is also indicated for treatment of Graves’ disease if you do not tolerate or want the side effects of radiation or medication used to treat this condition non-surgically.

Before Surgery

Prior to your surgery, you may be asked to:

Please ask your physician about any additional steps you should take before your surgery.

Surgery

Surgery for thyroid disease is done through an incision at the base of your neck under general anesthesia. Whether part or all of your thyroid gland is removed depends on why you are having surgery. Based on your preoperative evaluation, your surgeon may also remove lymph nodes from your neck if there is evidence of cancer in the lymph nodes.

After Surgery

If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, you most likely will be referred to an endocrinologist for follow-up after your surgery to discuss additional treatments.

If you have additional questions, please contact us at 763.780.6699.

Surgeons Who Treat Endocrine Disorders

SPECIAL MEDICAL INTERESTS:

  • Advanced laparoscopy
  • Robotic assisted surgery
  • Reflux disease/GERD
  • Paraesophageal hernia
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Gallbladder surgery
  • Weight loss (bariatric) surgery
  • GI surgery
  • Abdominal wall hernias
  • Groin hernias
  • Upper endoscopy
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SPECIAL MEDICAL INTERESTS:

  • Breast cancer surgery
  • Endoscopy
  • Gallbladder surgery
  • Hernia repairs
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Robotic-assisted surgery
  • Thyroid surgery
  • Trauma surgery
  • Weight loss surgery
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Jonathan C. Gipson, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Gastrointestinal surgery
  • Pancreas and foregut (esophagus and stomach) cancer surgery
  • Complex laparoscopic and robotic surgical procedures, including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve and hiatal hernia
  • Emergency surgical procedures
  • Surgical management of trauma
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Kamrun Jenabzadeh, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Robotic assisted surgery
  • Advanced laparoscopy
  • Reflux disease
  • Achalasia
  • Gallbladder pathology
  • Benign and malignant gastrointestinal pathology
  • Colorectal oncology
  • Complex hernias
  • Groin hernias
  • Complex ventral and hiatal hernias
  • Endocrine, such as adrenal, thyroid and parathyroid diseases
  • Diastasis recti
  • Colonic endometriosis
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Kourtney L. Kemp, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Esophageal disease and diagnostics
  • Heartburn/reflux
  • Robotic and laparoscopic surgeries
  • Hernia surgery
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Colon/bowel/gallbladder disease
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Steven J. Kern, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Robotic surgery
  • Gallbladder Surgery
  • Hernia Surgery
  • Surgery for Esophageal Reflux
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Matthew K. Kissner, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Minimally invasive surgery for hernia repair
  • Complex repair of ventral/incisional hernia
  • Robotic surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery
  • Colon surgery
  • Thyroid surgery
  • Parathyroid surgery
  • Colonoscopy and upper endoscopy
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Corey J. Stennes, MD

Special Medical Interests:

  • Thyroid disease
  • Parathyroid disease
  • Adrenal disease
  • Repair of complex hernias
  • Hiatal hernia and reflux surgery
  • Gastrointestinal malignancies
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rachel tay, MD

SPECIAL MEDICAL INTERESTS:

  • Colon resections
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Thyroid conditions
  • Minimally invasive surgery for hernia repair
  • Complex repair of ventral/incisional hernia
  • Robotic surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery
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