Endocrine Surgery in Rochester

Endocrine surgeons at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota, perform one of the largest volumes of endocrine-related procedures in the United States. All surgeons are subspecialty trained in their area of expertise. The four staff surgeons perform approximately 1,200 endocrine-related operations annually.

Higher volume practice leads to fewer complications for the people we treat.

Mayo endocrine surgeons are recognized internationally for performing complex procedures safely and with excellent outcomes. Each of our endocrine surgeons has achieved the Adult Complex Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Focused Practice Designation by the American Board of Surgery.

Surgical care spotlight: thyroid disease and cancer, adrenal disease and parathyroid disease

Mayo Clinic surgeons are always looking for ways to improve, learning from careful analysis of their large-volume surgical practice. Mayo endocrine surgeons are involved in many clinical trials evaluating new approaches to diseases that require surgical intervention.

Focused surgical capabilities and expertise in thyroid care

• Minimally invasive surgery. Mayo Clinic surgeons have been at the forefront of using minimally invasive surgery. Read more about minimally invasive surgery, a technique that offers many advantages for those undergoing surgery.
• Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) with intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring. The surgical procedure to remove a parathyroid gland (parathyroidectomy) once required an incision across the neck, general anesthesia and at least an overnight stay in a hospital. With new technology, removing an overactive parathyroid gland (adenoma) is quicker, less invasive and just as successful as the standard procedure. Most people can leave the hospital the same day.
• Patient-focused adrenalectomy. Our surgeons are part of one of the largest adrenal practices in the world. Patients have access to surgeons skilled in all forms of adrenalectomy, including minimally invasive retroperitoneal, laparoscopic and robotic surgeries. When appropriate, patients may also receive non-surgical treatments of their diseases such as radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation.
• Robotic surgery. Mayo endocrine surgeons offer robotic surgery to many patients with adrenal disorders.
• Parathyroid Localization. Mayo Clinic uses the most advanced radiographic and nuclear medicine imaging technology, including PET Choline/CT to help locate the most difficult parathyroid glands.
• Parathyroid Preservation. Mayo Clinic also has available technology to assist in the identification and preservation of parathyroid glands during parathyroid and thyroid surgery.
• Thyroid Preservation. Mayo Clinic endocrine surgeons work closely with endocrinology, nuclear medicine and radiology to provide individualized patient management to allow for thyroid preservation. These methods include non-operative treatments such as radiofrequency ablation, ethanol ablation and active surveillance.

Integrated care

Mayo Clinic emphasizes a collaborative team approach that leads to accurate diagnoses and timely surgical intervention.

Mayo endocrine surgeons communicate closely with other specialists involved in the care of those undergoing surgery at Mayo Clinic. Each person receiving care benefits from an individual patient-centered treatment plan that involves a multidisciplinary team of experts.

A team focused on you

Having all this expertise in one place, focused on you, means that you're not just getting a single opinion. Your care is discussed among the team. Highly specialized experts are working together for you. Your test results are available quickly, and appointment schedules are coordinated. What might take weeks or even months to accomplish elsewhere can typically be done in a matter of days at Mayo Clinic.

State-of-the-art surgical facilities

Surgery is performed at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, or Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus. The operating rooms are equipped with the latest diagnostic and surgical equipment.