SALIVARY GLAND SURGERY
The salivary glands are a group of glands that are located around the mouth. Their primary role is to produce saliva that aids the first step of digestion.
The salivary glands are:
Parotid gland: There are two one on each side. They are wrapped around the vertical part of the jaw.
Submandibular gland: Also a paired gland. They are located beneath the floor of the mouth, and are sometimes palpable along the horizontal part of the jaw.
Sublingual glands: They are located under the tongue adjacent to the submandibular glands.
Minor salivary glands: There are over 600 minor salivary glands located in the oral cavity.
These glands are affected by a myriad of pathological conditions; from common and simple conditions such as sialolithiasis (salivary gland stones) to salivary gland tumours.
The close relationship of the parotid gland to the facial nerve and the submandibular to the marginal nerve (branch of the facial nerve that supplies the muscles of the chin) makes this area a field that requires considerable training and expertise to avoid complications.
Experience in Head and Neck surgery is vital, particularly when this experience was acquired after general surgery training. A general surgeon that sub-specialised in Head and Neck is usually the best choice for this type of surgery; it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the anatomy as well as more resources when dealing with unexpected problems.
Dr. Oddone specialises in the treatment of salivary glands namely:
- Sialolithiasis
- Salivary benign tumours
- Salivary malignant conditions
SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
Surgical Oncology is the field of surgery that deals with cancer. It is a broad definition and many subspecialties have a degree of Oncological surgery within them.
The term has been reserved for cancers that can not be grouped under other categories and that it’s main form of treatment is surgery.
In Australia Surgical Oncology includes:
- Advanced non melanoma skin cancer requiring complex reconstruction and/or regional lymph node dissections
- Melanoma
- Soft tissue tumours
A surgical oncologist is a surgeon who deals with these problems. A professional trained in Surgical Oncology has a multidisciplinary approach (specialists with different backgrounds) which is the gold standard of the treatment of any cancer.
Dr. Oddone has trained extensively in Surgical Oncology and it constitutes a core aspect of his practice.
MELANOMA
-SCC, BCC AND OTHER SKIN CANCERS
-RECONSTRUCTIVE TECHNIQUES: SKIN GRAFTING AND SKIN FLAPS
GENERAL SURGERY
ENDOSCOPY
ENDOCRINE SURGERY
Dr. Oddone has subspecialised in the managment of endocrine conditions, particularly thyroid and parathyroid surgery.
Thyroid surgery
The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland that sits on the lower part of the neck. It produces thyroid hormone, responsable for multiple functions along the different target organs. It is vital for the normal functioning of our body.
Thyroid nodules are very common, among the general population, although most of them will not need surgery it is important to be aware of their existance and above all have a specialist assess them.
Parathyroid surgery
The Paraythyroid glands are four little glands that sit behind the thyroid gland and regulate the calcium metabolism. They are vital for calcium levels regulation in our body.
They can be affected by different conditions such as tumours (rare) and functional disorders particulary when the gland is over functioning for different reasons such as renal disease or others.
When surgery to this glands is needed a specialist surgeon is key in achieving the best results as well as using the latest minimally invasive approaches.
Adrenal Surgery
The adrenal glands are two small organs, one located above each kidney. They are triangular in shape and about the size of 50-cent piece. The adrenal glands produce hormones that are involved in control of blood pressure, chemical levels in the blood, water use in the body, glucose usage, and the “adrenalin rush" reaction during times of stress.
These hormones -produced by the adrenal glands- include cortisol, aldosterone, the adrenaline hormones – epinephrine and norepinephrine – and a small fraction of the body’s sex hormones (estrogen and androgens).
Dr. Oddone specialises in minimally invasive approaches for surgery of the adrenal glands.
CONDITIONS TREATED BY DR. ODDONE
- Thyroid nodules, goitre, thyroid cancer, thyroiditis
- Parathyroid tumours, primary, secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism
- Adrenal tumours
