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Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Endocrine Surgery

The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Endocrine Surgery Program is dedicated to improving the care of patients with endocrine disorders. This program uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide the latest advances in endocrine surgery.

The Endocrine Surgery Program at Froedtert & MCW is dedicated to improving the care of patients with benign and malignant endocrine disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands as well as inherited endocrine syndromes, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) types 1 and 2.

We use a multidisciplinary approach to provide the latest advances in endocrine surgery, including minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques. These include:

  • Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy
  • Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring
  • Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) adrenalectomy
    • Transabdominal
    • Posterior retroperitoneal
  • Outpatient procedures for selected patients

Our surgeons work closely with physicians from the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition, Endocrine Center at Community Memorial Medical Commons, Department of Radiology, and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Medical College of Wisconsin Algorithm for Evaluation of an Adrenal Incidentaloma

Specialized Surgery - American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES)
All of the surgeons in the Endocrine Surgery program are members of the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons (AAES), an international organization devoted to the research and treatment of endocrine surgery. Membership is limited to Fellows of the American College of Surgeons who have a major interest and devote significant portions of their practice to the field of endocrine Surgery. 

The Medical College of Wisconsin is one of a few organizations that has had two faculty members assume the presidency of the AAES. Dr. Stuart Wilson is a founding member and past president of the organization and in 2010-2011, Dr. Douglas Evans served as the 31st President of the AAES. Dr. Evans is currently on the AAES Council and a member of the Nominating Committee. Dr. Tracy Wang served a 6-year term as Chair of the AAES Fellowship Committee and is the current Treasurer (2019-2023).

Endocrine Surgery: Surgical Outcomes
Thyroid and parathyroid surgery is associated with low rates of morbidity from procedure-specific complications, such as neck hematoma, hypocalcemia, and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Still, clinical series and population-level studies consistently demonstrate that high-volume thyroid and parathyroid surgeons have better patient outcomes than lower-volume surgeons. 

The endocrine surgeons at the Medical College of Wisconsin are among the highest volume surgeons for thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal surgery in Wisconsin, with over 1,400 procedures performed from 2009–2013. Before and after surgery, patients are managed by a dedicated group of surgeons, nurses, and allied health professionals, allowing for perioperative teaching, continuity of care, and long-term follow-up. This allows for some of the best patient outcomes following thyroid and parathyroid surgery:

  • Transient hypocalcemia requiring oral calcium supplementation is <10% and the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism is <1%.
    • A recent randomized, prospective study completed by Dr. Wang and the Endocrine Surgery program has led to the creation of a standardized protocol for calcium supplementation for patients after total thyroidectomy.
  • The rate of neck hematoma requiring reoperation is 0.9%.
  • The rate of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is 1.5%.
  • The long-term cure rate following parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism is 97%.
  • Our Multidisciplinary Team

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  • Conditions Treatments

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  • Education Training

    Find links to learn about the general surgery residency program and the endocrine surgery fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

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  • Patient Information Before and After Surgery

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  • Request Appointment

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  • Faculty Publications

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