There are many ways to do a parathyroidectomy or thyroidectomy. In fact, there are more than 20 techniques, each of which was created to overcome a specific challenge. One of these techniques is known as the RetroAuricular (Facelift) Thyroidectomy or Parathyroidectomy. While this technique has been around for a long time, it is not commonly used.
When a patient selects this approach, an incision is made along the hairline behind the earlobe and down the neck. The surgeon will then tunnel under the skin to reach the thyroid.
There are pros and cons to any of the many remote access thyroidectomy approaches. With the RetroAuricular Approach, it can be challenging to remove the entire thyroid because the opposite half of the thyroid is hidden by the windpipe (trachea). It is therefore best for removing only half of the thyroid. It can sometimes be used when a patient desires to have a facelift at te same time as thyroid surgery, however (We are happy to coordinate this for you if you would like!).
The retroauricular approach also can be used when patients need to have cancer removed from the nodes of their lateral neck and want to minimize visible scarring.
For patients who do not want a facelift at the same time as thyroid surgery, there are some disadvantages, however. The RetroAuricular thyroidectomy approach is more likely to cause ear numbness, facial palsies, and hypertrophic scarring. In our experience, it can also be more painful.
While Dr Russell offers the retroauricular approach for thyroid and parathyroid surgery, we generally discourage the technique (unless the patient has metastatic cancer or would like a simultaneous facelift!). We are happy to discuss this with you further if you would like. Dr Russell has done more remote access thyroid and parathyroid surgeries than any other surgeon in the Western Hemisphere in the last 10 years.
.webp)
