The Thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped gland in the neck overlying the trachea or windpipe. This gland produces thyroid hormone, which regulates metabolism and helps other body systems to operate more efficiently. The overwhelming majority of thyroid problems can be managed medically without any surgical intervention.

Most commonly, surgical evacuation is needed for thyroid nodules or masses. These are frequently felt in the neck by the patient or by their primary care physician, but can be unnoticeable. Fortunately, most of these masses are not cancer, but need to be diagnosed by biopsy. Several tests can be done to decide whether biopsy is needed. An ultrasound can be performed either in our office or by the radiologist to determine if the mass is solid or cystic. Nuclear scans help determine the function of the gland and the nodule.

For diseases that require biopsy, a Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) may be possible with or without ultrasound guidance in our office. This is a very minor procedure using a small needle to sample the cells of the thyroid mass. If further interventions is necessary, removal of part or all of the thyroid gland can be done as an outpatient surgery with quick return to normal activities.

Any questions, please contact us and schedule an appointment with one of our surgeons.

See the original news article written by Dr. Eric Rau below.

Gastroesophegeal Reflux Disease or GERD is a disorder that affects 30% of adult Americans with greater than half of these people experiencing symptoms on a daily basis. This is otherwise known as “heartburn” and is caused by acid, which should normally remain in the stomach, escaping through an incompetent valve in the esophagus. This acid irritates the lining of the esophagus causing ulcers and symptoms of heartburn, but more importantly, it can cause long lasting effects.

Included in these problems are blockage of the esophagus and esophageal caner. While medications can effectively control the symptoms, they don’t always stop the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. In patients who continue to have this problem a safe, effective, outpatient procedure is available. This is performed Laproscopically and in the vast majority of patients alleviates both reflux and the long term effects.

Studies have even shown the disappearance of pre-cancerous changes following the surgery. This is not found with medication alone.

To schedule a consultation, contact us today. We will provide quality care to each patient in a professional and courteous approach. We will work together as a team to provide care to our patients.

See the original news article written by Dr. David Rau M.D. below.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in American women 30 to 70 years of age. In the year 2005, 21,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. More than 40,000 patients will die of their disease. The death rate from breast cancer has declined in the United States approximately 2% per year since 1990.

There are multiple factors contributing to this improved survival. Screening mammograms and the resultant detection of breast cancer at an early stage are big factors. The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening mammography in women over 40 years of age. If a patient has an abnormal mammogram the patient may need a biopsy to determine the nature of the lesion.

The open surgical biopsy has been traditionally performed in the operating room. We now offer a minimally invasive biopsy procedure called stereotactic breast biopsy. The biopsy is performed by the general surgeon through a very small incision without the need to go to the operating room. It allows us to make a preoperative diagnosis with a minimally invasive procedure. We can avoid unnecessary operations and in the unfortunate case of a diagnosed breast cancer we can plan an appropriate surgical intervention. Not all abnormal mammograms are candidates for stereotactic breast biopsy.

If you or your family members need a consultation please contact us. Our goal at Bayou Surgical Specialists is to provide our patients with the highest quality health care in our community.

See the original news article written by Dr. Donald P. Schwab below.