Minithyroidectomy: a preliminary report from a specialised thyroid unit.

ABSTRACT

In the past few years, minimally invasive surgery has replaced the open conventional surgery as the gold standard for many procedures. Here a modified technique was used for thyroid surgery with a 2.5-4.0 cm incision and the results of this technique have been evaluated. During the 3 years of study period, 14 patients underwent hemithyroidectomy using a small incision (2.5-4 cm), placed higher than the conventional incision in selected patients. Mean operative time was 86.2 minutes with an average blood loss of 42.5 ml with two conversions. Mean hospital stay was 32 hours and no drains were used. All patients were satisfied with the scar mark. We found this technique of minithyroidectomy to be feasible and easily reproducible.