What Is Head and Neck Surgery?
The surgical treatment of benign or malignant tumours, cysts, and thyroid and salivary gland diseases occurring in the head and neck region requires great expertise due to the complex anatomy of the area (nerves, blood vessels, vocal cords). In the field of head and neck surgery in Ankara, Prof. Dr. Ömer Karakoç manages the process from diagnosis to post-operative follow-up with his ENT expertise.
Symptoms / Who Is a Candidate
- A palpable, growing or hardening mass in the neck.
- A nodule or enlargement (goitre) detected in the thyroid gland.
- Swelling, pain or a mass in the salivary glands.
- A long-standing swollen lymph node in the neck.
- Neck swelling accompanied by hoarseness or difficulty swallowing.
Diagnostic Methods
At examination, the neck area is assessed manually and, if needed, endoscopically. Imaging methods such as ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and, when necessary, CT/MRI are used to determine the nature of the mass. Hormone tests are also part of the assessment for thyroid nodules.
Treatment Process
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: Surgical treatment of goitre, thyroid nodules and parathyroid gland diseases; techniques such as nerve monitoring are used to try to preserve vocal cord function.
- Salivary Gland Diseases and Tumours: Surgical removal of parotid and submandibular gland masses.
- Neck Masses and Lymph Node Biopsies: Diagnostic biopsy or complete removal of the mass, with further treatment planning based on the pathology result.
Operations are generally performed under general anaesthesia; duration varies depending on the size and location of the mass.
Recovery Process
The hospital stay after surgery is generally 1-2 days. Swelling and tenderness in the neck area subside within a few weeks. After thyroid surgery, hormone levels are monitored at regular intervals.
Why Choose Prof. Dr. Ömer Karakoç?
Surgical procedures in the head and neck region are delicate interventions that require preserving the surrounding nerve and vascular structures. Prof. Dr. Ömer Karakoç personally follows the patient at his clinic in Çankaya, Ankara, from the diagnostic process through to post-operative pathology assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a palpable mass in the neck always dangerous?
No, the majority of neck masses are benign (for example, a reactive lymph node or a simple cyst). However, every mass should always be assessed by an ENT specialist and, if needed, clarified with imaging/biopsy.
Does hoarseness occur after thyroid surgery?
Since nerves adjacent to the thyroid gland control the vocal cords, a temporary change in voice can rarely be seen. Techniques such as nerve monitoring during surgery are aimed at reducing this risk.
How are salivary gland masses treated?
First, ultrasound and fine-needle biopsy determine the nature of the mass. Treatment is generally surgical removal of the mass; care is taken to preserve nearby nerves depending on the location.
How long does a lymph node biopsy take?
A fine-needle aspiration biopsy takes a few minutes in the clinic. If the mass needs to be completely removed surgically, this requires a separate surgical plan and the duration varies according to the size of the mass.
How many days are spent in hospital after surgery?
For most head-neck surgeries, the hospital stay is around 1-2 days. The exact duration can vary depending on the scope of the procedure and the recovery process.
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