Endocrine Surgery

At The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, our surgeons treat patients for diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. They also treat neuroendocrine tumors, which can develop in almost any area of the body, especially in the pancreas.

Our surgeons are renowned for their expertise in the treatment of these complicated, often rare, endocrine disorders.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, they work closely with other specialists throughout the health system and The University of Kansas Cancer Center to develop individualized cancer treatment plans for patients.

These surgeons are also faculty members at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. As experts in their fields, they teach the most effective, least invasive surgical techniques to other physicians.

In addition to providing medical education and outstanding patient care, our surgeons lead innovative research to improve clinical outcomes. Currently, they are researching how thyroid tumors and cancers form, as a method of developing new, targeted drug treatments for thyroid cancer.

Our surgeons specialize in laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery for diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands, as well as neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas. Many procedures are performed on an outpatient basis.

We’re among few hospitals in the region to use an intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring assay. This advanced technology measures parathyroid hormone levels during surgery to confirm that the abnormal parathyroid tissue is fully removed. Use of this technology increases the success of procedures and decreases surgery time.

• Laparoscopic adrenalectomy

This is a procedure where one or both adrenal glands are removed through a very small incision. This surgery is performed for adrenal tumors, including hormone-producing tumors and pheochromocytomas.

• Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy

This surgery removes parathyroid glands or parathyroid tumors. It can be performed through an inch-long incision, often on an outpatient basis.

• Minimally invasive/laparoscopic neuroendocrine tumor surgery

This surgery is performed through a very small incision to remove a tumor.

• Management of multiple endocrine neoplasia

This disorder affects the thyroid gland as well as other endocrine organs, including the parathyroids, adrenals and pancreas.

• Parathyroid surgery

This includes intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring.

• Thyroid surgery