Royal Hospital performs Oman's first non-invasive thyroid surgery

Muscat: A medical procedure to remove the thyroid gland without invasive surgery was successfully performed in the Sultanate, officials said.
A medical team at the Royal Hospital was able to use a technique in the removal of the thyroid gland through a scope, without resorting to surgery below the neck, which is the traditional treatment method.
The procedure was done on two female patients who were suffering from tumours in their thyroid gland. This was performed by a medical staff from the Royal Hospital headed by Dr. Riyadh Ahmed, Consultant of Endocrinology and Endoscopic Surgery, along with the assistance of the anaesthesiologists and nursing staff.
"The procedure begins by the insertion of a fine tube through the mouth area. This tube continues on a path to reach the affected thyroid region. The medical staff would then remove the tumour by a scope. This procedure only took two hours," the Ministry of Health said.
Dr. Riyadh Ahmed explained, "This treatment technique was first performed by doctors from Thailand, and it was followed by attempts in specialised centres around the world to conduct it, due to the lack of specialised medical personnel to carry out such treatment. In addition, there is a need for medical staff which has the expertise in such a procedure."
Dr. Riyadh also pointed out that there are many advantages to this kind of procedure.
"The most important advantage is the avoidance of surgical intervention across the neck area, as well as the the lack of complications compared to surgery, and being able to return to normal life activities two days after the removal of thyroid gland. The patient also has a short stay in the hospital, so he can leave only a day after the procedure."
The Ministry of Health statement also said, "It is worth noting that thyroid surgery is the most common surgical procedure in the world, so it is a hope that this technique will contribute to the improvement of procedural and diagnostic methods in the area of ​​thyroid diseases, as well as to help reduce the effects and complications of surgical interventions."