Head & Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic

Head and neck surgery at Mayo Clinic provides specialized evaluation and surgical care for conditions affecting the thyroid, salivary glands, neck, throat, mouth, and other structures of the head and neck. Treatment is planned according to the patient's diagnosis, symptoms, overall health, and the complexity of the condition.

Price

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of head and neck surgery depends on the diagnosis, complexity of the procedure, diagnostic testing, anesthesia requirements, hospital care, and postoperative follow-up. International patients may have additional care coordination requirements. A personalized cost estimate can be provided after the patient's medical information has been reviewed.

Complete Description

What Is Head & Neck Surgery?

Head and neck surgery involves the surgical evaluation and treatment of conditions affecting areas such as the neck, throat, salivary glands, thyroid, parathyroid glands, oral cavity, and related structures. Surgery may be recommended when medical treatment is insufficient or when a condition requires tissue removal, reconstruction, biopsy, or another surgical intervention.

Who May Need Head & Neck Surgery?

Patients may be considered for head and neck surgical evaluation when they have:

• Thyroid or parathyroid conditions

• Salivary gland disorders

• Neck masses or enlarged lymph nodes

• Tumors or suspected cancers of the head and neck

• Persistent throat or swallowing problems requiring surgical assessment

• Lesions of the mouth or throat

• Structural abnormalities

• Conditions requiring biopsy or tissue removal

• Complex head and neck disorders requiring specialist surgical care

Initial Surgical Evaluation

The evaluation begins with a detailed review of the patient's symptoms, medical history, previous diagnoses, medications, and earlier treatments. A physical examination of the head, neck, throat, and related structures helps specialists determine whether surgery may be appropriate.

Diagnostic Testing

Depending on the condition, additional diagnostic tests may be recommended. These can include imaging studies, endoscopic examinations, ultrasound, laboratory testing, tissue sampling, or other specialized investigations. The selected tests depend on the patient's clinical findings.

Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery

Selected patients with thyroid or parathyroid disorders may require surgical treatment. Surgical planning considers the underlying diagnosis, size and location of the abnormality, surrounding structures, previous treatments, and overall health.

Salivary Gland Surgery

Conditions affecting the salivary glands may sometimes require surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, procedures may involve removal of part or all of an affected gland or treatment of a specific lesion while considering nearby nerves and other important structures.

Neck Mass & Lymph Node Evaluation

A persistent neck mass or enlarged lymph node may require detailed evaluation. When clinically appropriate, imaging, biopsy, or surgical removal may be considered to establish a diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment.

Head & Neck Cancer Surgery

Patients with selected head and neck cancers may require surgical treatment as part of a broader cancer-care plan. Depending on the type and stage of disease, surgery may be combined with radiation therapy, systemic treatment, reconstruction, or other specialized therapies.

Throat & Oral Conditions

Some conditions involving the throat, mouth, or related structures may require surgical assessment. Treatment is based on the location, severity, underlying cause, and whether the condition can be managed with non-surgical approaches.

Minimally Invasive & Advanced Surgical Approaches

When clinically appropriate, specialists may consider minimally invasive or other advanced surgical techniques. The choice of surgical approach depends on the patient's anatomy, diagnosis, procedure requirements, and expected clinical benefits.

Reconstructive Care

Certain complex head and neck procedures may require reconstructive planning to restore function or appearance following removal of diseased tissue. Reconstructive needs are assessed according to the location and extent of surgery.

Multidisciplinary Care

Complex head and neck conditions may require collaboration between otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, endocrinologists, reconstructive specialists, speech and swallowing professionals, and other healthcare providers.

Second Opinion

Patients with a complex diagnosis or a recommended head and neck procedure may seek a specialist second opinion. The medical team can review available diagnostic findings and previous treatment recommendations to help clarify potential treatment options.

Review of Previous Medical Records

International patients can provide previous medical records, imaging reports, pathology results, laboratory tests, surgical reports, medication information, and other relevant documentation. Reviewing these materials can help specialists better understand the patient's condition before consultation.

Individualized Surgical Planning

Each surgical plan is developed according to the patient's diagnosis, anatomy, medical history, treatment goals, and overall health. Specialists determine whether surgery is appropriate and select the most suitable approach based on the individual case.

Postoperative Care & Follow-Up

After surgery, patients may require monitoring, wound care, medication management, rehabilitation, and follow-up examinations. The specific recovery plan depends on the type and extent of the procedure performed.

International Patient Care

International patients may receive assistance with medical appointment coordination, review of available medical information, specialist consultation, and treatment planning. Care requirements and scheduling depend on the individual patient's condition and eligibility.

Benefits of Head & Neck Surgery Care

• Specialized evaluation of complex head and neck conditions

• Individualized surgical treatment planning

• Access to multidisciplinary specialist care

• Evaluation of thyroid, salivary gland, neck, throat, and related conditions

• Surgical assessment for selected head and neck cancers

• Consideration of appropriate minimally invasive techniques

• Support for complex and reconstructive procedures when needed

• Specialist second-opinion services

• Coordinated care options for international patients

Why Choose Mayo Clinic?

Mayo Clinic brings together specialists from multiple disciplines to evaluate and treat complex head and neck conditions. Its coordinated approach allows patients to receive comprehensive diagnostic assessment, surgical consultation, and individualized treatment planning based on their specific medical needs.

Cost & Price on Request

The final cost depends on the patient's diagnosis, required procedure, diagnostic testing, hospital stay, anesthesia, postoperative care, and other clinical requirements. Price on Request allows the patient's case to be evaluated before an appropriate estimate is prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions can require head and neck surgery?

Head and neck surgery may be considered for selected thyroid, parathyroid, salivary gland, neck mass, lymph node, throat, oral cavity, and head and neck cancer conditions.

Is head and neck surgery always necessary for a neck mass?

No. A neck mass may have many possible causes, and surgery is not always required. Evaluation and appropriate diagnostic testing are generally performed first to determine the underlying cause.

Can head and neck cancer be treated with surgery?

Surgery may be part of treatment for selected head and neck cancers. The appropriate treatment depends on the cancer type, location, stage, and individual patient factors and may involve other therapies as well.

Can international patients receive a second opinion?

Yes. International patients may seek specialist evaluation of an existing diagnosis or proposed surgical treatment. Previous medical records and diagnostic results can assist with the review.

What happens before head and neck surgery?

Patients typically undergo specialist evaluation and appropriate diagnostic testing. The surgical team reviews the diagnosis, medical history, imaging, and other relevant information before determining whether surgery is appropriate and planning the procedure.

Product Details

Product Name: Head & Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic
Hospital: Mayo Clinic
Brand: Mayo Clinic
Country: United States
Specialty: ENT / Head & Neck Surgery
Service Type: Head & Neck Surgical Care
Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request
International Patients: Subject to applicable eligibility and appointment requirements
Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA