Thyroid — surgical evaluation.
When the question of thyroid surgery comes up — for nodules, Graves’ disease or parathyroid tumours — Dr Katayoun Tonninger-Bahadori assesses whether an operation is appropriate and necessary. With more than 17 years of focused experience in thyroid surgery.
The specialist
Dr Tonninger-Bahadori is F.E.B.S. (Fellow of the European Board of Surgery) and a dual specialist — in General Surgery (2006) and Paediatric Surgery (2003). With this dual qualification she joined the Kaiserin Elisabeth Hospital in 2008, known for its thyroid surgery — where her surgical thyroid focus began.
At the Vienna Medical Chamber she heads the Endoscopy Section; she regularly teaches international online courses on thyroid diagnostics.
- since 2008focus on thyroid surgery
- 2,000+surgical thyroid procedures
- F.E.B.S.European Board of Surgery
Where what takes place
Surgical evaluation
- Thyroid ultrasound for surgical planning
- Discussion of findings with a view to a possible procedure
- Assessment of whether the operation is appropriate and necessary
- Pre- and post-operative care
Operations
- Thyroid operations
- Parathyroid operations
- With neuromonitoring to protect the vocal cord nerve
- Incision planned for an aesthetically optimal outcome — scars are often barely visible after healing
When an operation makes sense
Recurrent Graves’ disease
In roughly half of those affected, symptoms do not stabilise sufficiently despite medication or radioiodine therapy. An operation can then be the better path to lasting control.
Cold nodules with suspected malignancy
Approximately 19 out of 20 cold nodules are benign. For growing nodules, unclear ultrasound findings or concurrent Hashimoto’s, surgery is advised — particularly if a tissue sample shows signs of malignant change.
Parathyroid tumour
Benign parathyroid tumours can throw the parathyroid hormone level out of balance and lead to bone loss. Their complete removal reliably normalises the hormone balance.
Frequently asked questions
Will a visible scar remain?
In every operation Dr Tonninger-Bahadori has the aesthetically optimal outcome in mind — tissue-sparing incision planning, with individual consideration of skin type and healing pattern. In many cases the scar is barely visible after healing. In the pre-operative consultation we discuss skin type, scar suitability and the planned suturing technique in detail.
Can the voice be damaged by the operation?
The vocal cord nerve runs behind the thyroid. With neuromonitoring, which is used routinely, this risk can today be reduced to a minimum.
Do I have to take medication permanently after a partial removal?
The remaining thyroid can usually cover the hormone demand. Temporary thyroid hormone supplementation may be useful. Regular blood tests (TSH, fT3, fT4) show how the residual function settles.
Do cold nodules always have to be operated on?
No. The majority are benign. Surgery is advised in case of unclear imaging, rapid growth or concurrent Hashimoto’s. Regular ultrasound checks are often the right answer.
Going deeper
At schilddruesenchirurgie.com you will find detailed background information, a glossary of common terms, press coverage and patient voices (in German).
Appointment or question?
Appointment: +43 1 890 56 72 Request a callback
Initial consultations and diagnostics at the practice in Floridsdorf — operations at Privatklinikum Döbling, all from one hand.