Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow
The Department of Endocrine Surgery at SGPGIMS, established as one of the earliest dedicated units of its kind in India, is a pioneering center of excellence in the field of endocrine surgical care, education, and research. The department offers comprehensive surgical services for diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, and breast, integrating clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Recognized for its academic leadership, the department runs a competitive M.Ch. training program in Endocrine Surgery and has played a central role in shaping endocrine surgical practice in India. Our alumni are widely recognized for their contributions across premier institutions nationally and internationally. The department is equipped with modern infrastructure, high-volume operative experience, advanced imaging facilities, and a strong focus on translational research.
Endocrine Surgery is a distinct surgical subspecialty dedicated to the diagnosis, management, and operative treatment of disorders of the endocrine glands—primarily the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, and neuroendocrine pancreas. This dynamic field sits at the intersection of surgery, endocrinology, pathology, nuclear medicine, and genetics, offering precision-based, often minimally invasive approaches to hormone-related diseases.
The scope of endocrine surgery spans both benign and malignant conditions. It plays a pivotal role in the management of:
Thyroid diseases, including nodules, goiters, Graves’ disease, and thyroid cancer
Parathyroid disorders, particularly primary hyperparathyroidism
Adrenal tumors, including functional adenomas, pheochromocytomas, and adrenal cortical carcinomas
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, as seen in syndromes like MEN1
Inherited endocrine syndromes, such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN)
Endocrine disorders are highly prevalent worldwide, and their surgical management significantly improves symptom control, metabolic stability, quality of life, and survival, particularly in hormone-secreting tumors and endocrine malignancies.
Early Foundations
The origins of endocrine surgery date back to the 19th century, when Theodor Kocher, a Swiss surgeon, pioneered safe thyroidectomy techniques, earning the Nobel Prize in 1909. Kocher’s work transformed thyroid surgery from a procedure associated with unacceptably high mortality to one with predictable outcomes.
Evolution of Parathyroid and Adrenal Surgery
The discovery of the parathyroid glands by Ivar Sandström in 1880 and the identification of parathyroid hormone function later opened the way for parathyroidectomy. Landmark surgeries in the 20th century, such as Castleman’s first successful parathyroidectomy (1925) and the first adrenalectomy by Sargent in 1914, established the basis for modern endocrine surgery.
Minimally Invasive Revolution
The 1990s marked a major turning point with the advent of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, endoscopic thyroidectomy, and laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The use of intraoperative PTH monitoring, radio-guided surgery, and nerve monitoring further enhanced precision and safety.
Integration of Molecular and Genetic Medicine
Recent decades have seen the integration of molecular markers, genetic testing, and risk stratification tools (like the ATA Risk Stratification System) in preoperative planning and postoperative management, particularly in thyroid cancer.
India has played a significant role in advancing endocrine surgery. The establishment of dedicated departments—such as the Department of Endocrine Surgery at SGPGIMS, Lucknow, one of the first in Asia—has shaped academic training and clinical excellence across the country. SGPGI’s M.Ch. program has trained generations of endocrine surgeons who now lead departments nationally and internationally.
Indian contributions in areas like scarless thyroid surgery, parathyroid imaging, MEN1 surgery, and thyroid cancer guidelines have earned global recognition. Conferences like PGES continue to disseminate these advances to the next generation of surgeons.
Endocrine Surgery continues to evolve with innovations in robotic-assisted surgery, AI-powered diagnostics, targeted therapies, and genomic surgery. The specialty remains central to multidisciplinary care, offering hope, cure, and long-term health to patients with endocrine diseases.
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