TRANSORAL
ENDOSCOPIC
THYROIDECTOMY
Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by vestibular approach (TOETVA)
Traditional thyroidectomies and parathyroidectomies leave a visible scar in the middle of the neck. But advances in surgery allow Dr. Adolfo to provide a scarless alternative to this procedure. In a scarless thyroidectomy, or scarless parathyroidectomy, the surgeon accesses the glands through the patient’s mouth (called the “transoral” approach).
What is TOETVA?
Instead of having a surgical incision in the neck, Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy by Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) is performed through small incisions between the gum and the lower lip. Therefore, there is no scar on the skin after surgery. TOETVA is a better option for patients who have cosmetic concerns.
Why choose Dr. Adolfo to perform your scarless thyroidectomy?
To provide the best results for his patients, Dr. Adolfo has an excellent team of professionals at his side, as well as state-of-the-art facilities within the Zambrano Hellion Hospital.
“The most important thing for me are the health and wellbeing of my patients, this is why I keep myself updated on the best treatments I can offer and prepare myself to be able to include them within my surgical practice.”
Dr. Adolfo is a pioneer in performing scarless thyroidectomy in northern Mexico. If you need thyroid surgery, you can rely on Dr. Adolfo’s preparation and experience.
Am I a candidate for a scarless thyroidectomy?
Candidates for this procedure may include patients diagnosed with:
- Most thyroid nodules
- Small thyroid cancers
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism due to toxic nodules or Graves’ disease.
Additional tests may be required to determine candidacy, if you are interested in undergoing TOETVA Dr. Adolfo will be happy to guide you.
Scarless thyroidectomy as treatment
- Scarless thyroidectomy is an effective option for patients who are interested in better cosmetic results.
- This surgery lasts approximately 3 hours, resulting in an invisible solution and a cure for your condition.
| BEFORE | DURING SURGERY | AFTER |
|---|---|---|
| • Initial consultation • Pre-operative evaluation | • 3-hour procedure • Relatives wait in waiting room | • Recovery room • Discharge the next day • 1 week of recovery |
Initial consultation
- When you go to your first consultation with Dr. Montemayor, he will review your medical record, perform a physical exam, and assess the need for surgery.
Consent
- Adolfo will inform you about the risks and benefits of the surgery and if you decide to have it, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
Pre-operative evaluation
- Every patient who is considering a transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy (TOETVA) needs to have some pre-operative tests, for example:
- Blood and urine tests
- Electrocardiogram
- Cardiopulmonary (heart) evaluation
- Computed tomography
- An electrocardiogram and chest X-ray are recommended for patients over 45 years of age or with symptoms of heart disease.
- Any patient who has had a change in voice, or who has had a previous neck operation should have a pre-operative evaluation of the vocal cords.
Other considerations
- Check with your insurance provider for details on insurance coverage prior to surgery.
- Consider having a family member or friend accompany you on the day of surgery.
- Organize your care during the recovery phase, including getting home from the hospital.
The day of surgery
- We will inform you how many hours in advance you must arrive at the office.
- Montemayor will go over some details of the procedure with you.
- We will indicate the waiting room for your relatives and companions.
- At the end of the procedure, Dr. Adolfo will inform his family and companions about the result.
The procedure
- Initially, you will be given general anesthesia.
- Adolfo will make an incision at the base of your neck (7 to 10cm), and using magnifying glasses, he will locate the thyroid gland to carry out its total or partial extraction.
- Subsequently, Dr. Adolfo will proceed to close the incision with sutures
- This procedure generally takes two to three hours.
- After surgery, you will stay in the recovery room.
Recovery
- Most patients can leave the hospital the morning after surgery.
- You will most likely feel tired and a little sore for a few days, for which you will be prescribed pain relievers.
- You may have a sore throat and your neck may be slightly swollen. This will improve after a few days but can continue for a week.
- If you notice sudden swelling in your neck, contact Dr. Adolfo.
Recovery from home
- Most people take 1 to 2 weeks to recover from surgery.
- You should not drive for at least a week.
- Do not smoke during recovery.
- Consult with Dr. Adolfo about the physical activity you can do after surgery, as well as the proper diet.
- The Website of the American Thyroid Association® (www.thyroid.org)
- The American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/)
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Department of Surgery (https://columbiasurgery.org/thyroid/thyroid-cancer-types)
- Tec salud (https://www.tecsalud.mx/)
INSURANCE PROVIDERS ACCEPTED
