Endoscopic surgery for thyroid diseases:Report of 98 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical value of two kinds of endoscopic thyroidectomy for thyroid diseases.Methods Endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast approach or axillary approach was performed in 98 cases from December 2003 to August 2005.The subcutaneous space beneath the breast area and the subplatysmal space in the neck were bluntly dissected through a 5-mm incision.The CO_2 was insufflated at the pressure of 8~10 mm Hg to create an operative space.Three trocars were inserted.The dissection of the thyroid parenchyma and vessels was performed endoscopically by using an ultrasonically activated scalpel.The recurrent laryngeal nerve,the superior laryngeal nerve,and the parathyroid glands were preserved carefully.There were 1 case of lobectomy on one side and partial thyroidectomy on the other side,18 cases of unilateral lobectomy,12 cases of bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy,46 cases of unilateral subtotal lobectomy,and 21 cases of resection of thyroid mass. Results The operation was successfully completed in all the 98 cases,without conversions to open surgery.No complications were noted.The operative time was 69.1?29.0 min,the estimated blood loss was 37.9?10.6 ml,and the postoperative hospital stay was 3.5?0.7 days.The drainage tube was removed at 24~36 hours after operation.Two cases of thyroid cancer were followed for 24 months without recurrence.The remaining 96 cases were followed for 6~28 months(mean,16 months) without recurrence.Conclusions Endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast or axillary approach is feasible and safe,giving patients satisfactory cosmetic results.