Dr. Robichaud performs a wide variety of Head and Neck procedures. A brief list is outlined below.
Patients are usually referred for a lump that was noted by themselves or their physician. If any imaging has been done it is always helpful to have the report sent along to the office before the visit. Ultrasound images do not need to be brought to the visit as the report is generally adequate. Imaging such as MRI or CT (CAT) scans should be brought along for the visit for viewing. Generally any suspicious lumps will be biopsied during the visit. This is done by what is called a Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy. You can return to normal activity afterwards, but the procedure does involve a small amount of discomfort. ASA or any other blood thinners do not need to be stopped before the procedure.
Consultation: How long the lump or mass has been present is important and will be asked during the consultation. If it is painful, getting larger, or smaller, in size, and any treatment for this will be asked during your visit as well. Other information related to common types of cancer such as smoking history and alcohol consumption will be obtained on the information form that is filled in before you see Dr. Robichaud. This form can be printed off from this site, and filled out in advance, located under “forms”. If there has been a change in your voice, difficulty swallowing, weight loss or loss of appetite is also very important and should be mentioned, but will generally be asked as well.
The examination will involve assessing any mass, a general head and neck exam and often upper endoscopy. This involves using a small fibre optic camera to examine the nasal cavity, posterior nasal airway, pharynx and larynx or voice box to look for abnormalities. Occasionally this will be done with digital video imaging to capture the image which can then be reviewed to outline any normal or abnormal findings.
At the conclusion of the visit, the findings will be summarized. This may involve a return appointment to review any biopsies or, in some cases, just reassurance depending on the reason for the consultation. It is important to book any necessary follow up appointments before leaving to ensure that there will be opportunity to obtain an appropriate booking for your problem. If you wait too long to call in and book we often can’t accommodate a follow up at that point for another several weeks time.
Procedure list:
- Endocrine Surgery
- Thyroidecetomy
- Parathyroid surgery
- Open neck biopsy
- Submandibular gland surgery
- Parotid surgery
- Limited neck dissection
- Thyroglossal duct excision
- Branchial cleft Excision
- Thyroplasty
- Tracheotomy
- Biopsy of the oral cavity