Ndidi Azikiwe, MD, FACS

Dr. Ndidi Azikiwe is board certified in general surgery, and her clinical interests are endocrine and minimally invasive surgery. She offers patients the most advanced technology and highest expertise in a comfortable and caring environment.

Education and Training

Dr. Azikiwe received her medical degree from The Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, and completed her residency in general surgery at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, VA, and her fellowship in laparoscopic/minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco, CA. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lincoln University in Lincoln, PA.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Much has changed in the field of surgery in recent years-to the advantage of the patient-and new technologies are being advanced all of the time. With minimally invasive procedures, referred to as laparoscopic or robotic surgery, patients generally recovery much more quickly than with traditional open surgery. That's because laparoscopic surgery requires smaller incisions, and cause less trauma to the body.

Endocrine Disorders

Dr. Azikiwe is experienced with endocrine disorders and surgery, offering relief to patients whose hormones are out of balance. Endocrine surgery typically includes surgery for the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. It is a specialized surgical field where procedures are performed on endocrine glands to achieve a hormonal or anti-hormonal effect in the body. This almost always requires removing a tumor that has grown on or within an endocrine gland.
Some common endocrine disorders include:

• Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Thyroid Cancer
• Addison's Disease
• Cushing's Syndrome
• Gestational Diabetes
• Graves' Disease
• Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
• Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
• Menopause
• Obesity

The most common endocrine surgery is removal of the thyroid, followed by parathyroid surgery. Operations on the adrenal gland (adrenalectomy) occurs less frequently.

Thyroid operations are used for patients with a variety of thyroid conditions, including both cancerous and benign (noncancerous) thyroid nodules, large thyroid glands (goiters), and overactive thyroid glands. Adrenal gland disorders or diseases are conditions that interfere with the normal functioning of the adrenal glands causing deficiencies in steroids that are produced by the glands. They may cause hyperfunction or hypofunction, and it may be congenital (inherited) or acquired. Adrenal gland disorders are challenging to diagnose, but if left untreated, they are life threatening.

If you are feeling out of sorts, and experiencing symptoms like fatigue, poor appetite and weight loss, nausea, and dizziness, talk with Dr. Azikiwe about your endocrine system. She works with you to get to the root of your symptoms, and design a personal plan of care and recovery.