ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the feasibility and advantages of supraclavicular approaching thyroidectomy for benign thyroid diseases. Methods: From February 2004 to December 2007, 64 cases of thyroidectomies were performed via the lateral cervical supraclavicular incision, and were selected as experimental group, of whom, there were 37 cases of thyroid adenomas and 27 cases of nodular thyroid goiters, respectively. At the same time period, 63 cases of consecutive thyroidectomies through the conventional anterior neck incision were selected as a control group, of whom, there were 39 cases of thyroid adenomas and 24 cases of nodular thyroid goiters, respectively. Results: All the operations in two groups were successfully accomplished. In the experimental group, there were 9 subtotal thyroidetomies, 40 subtotal lobectomies and 15 nodulectomies. While in the control group, there were 8 total thyroidetomies, 37 subtotal lobectomies and 18 nodulectomies. The statistical analysis between the two groups was carried out in terms of tumor size, operative time-consuming, blood loss, postoperative drain volume, time for return of motion and postoperative complications. There were no injuries of laryngeal recurrent nerve, superior laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands. Two cases of postoperative complications in the experimental group and 3 in the control group were observed, respectively, the statistical differences were not significant between the two groups. Conclusion: The supraclavicular incision for thryoidectomy for benign thyroid diseases is a feasible and safe technique with a satisfactory cosmetic result. It is accessible to the treatment of bilateral thyroid diseases and can facilitate the detection of lymphatic metastases.