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New Treatment Options Can
Simplify Thyroid Surgery
When Kimberley Tichansky's
gynecologist identified a thyroid
issue during a routine exam,
she was referred to an endocrinologist for a
more detailed workup. Kim and her physicians
were concerned because she has a
family history of cancer and thyroid disease.
When Kim's condition seemed to be
worsening, she made an appointment with
Melissa Young, M.D., a board certified
specialist in endocrinology, diabetes, and
metabolism. Her thyroid gland had a nodule
that was becoming increasingly enlarged.
About 85 percent of thyroid nodules in
women are benign. But issues with the thyroid
gland can result in conditions that need
to be examined by a specialist, including problems with metabolism, energy levels,
and emotions — in addition to discomfort
that can impact swallowing and breathing. In
some cases the nodes may be cancerous.
"Kim and I discussed her options, including
medical treatment, biopsy, and surgery,"
Dr. Young explains. "Based on her age, the
size of the nodule as measured by ultrasound,
and Kim's family history of cancer, I
recommended surgery."
Kim was not fearful of surgery. "Dr. Young
is extremely professional and compassionate,"
she says. "Every time I've called the
office since the appointment, Dr. Young calls
me back directly. I was very confident in her
and the surgeon, Dr. Shifrin."
Alexander Shifrin, M.D., is one of the only fellowship-trained endocrine surgeons
in the region. He has brought a new, minimally
invasive technique to the area, and
he used it to remove Kim's thyroid.
Dr. Shifrin explains the new approach:
"The incision is less than an inch, and it
can be done in an existing crease in the
neck so that the scar is not visible. No
stitches are needed. No drains or bandages
are necessary either, and the surgery is
performed under local anesthesia, so no
breathing tube is needed. There is very
little pain associated with this surgery."
"Even though I was in the hospital for less
than 24 hours for the procedure, Dr. Shifrin
visited me two times after the surgery,"
says Kim. "The time was less than 30 days
between when I saw Dr. Young and when the
surgery was performed by Dr. Shifrin."
For follow-up care, Dr. Young prescribed
medications to replace the hormone the
removed thyroid would have made. A
small trace of cancer in Kim's thyroid was
diagnosed from tissue samples collected
during surgery, so she will receive a radioactive
iodine treatment and nuclear medicine
imaging as part of her care.
Since the surgery, Kim has been able to
resume her usual activities. "I feel really well.
I was back at work within a week," she says.
"My family has a history of thyroid cancer,
and all of them had the traditional surgery,
which had a longer recovery and lasting scar.
"I'm relieved the surgery is over and the
recovery was easy."
 – Ryan Younger
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