Endoscopic thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma: report of 25 cases / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To summarize the experience of totally endoscopic thyroidectomy (TET) in treating differentiated thyroid carcinoma and to evaluate its feasibility, safety and the therapeutic result.Methods The clinical data of 25 cases of thyroid carcinoma treated with TET via the areola of breast or by axillary approach from November 2004 to July 2009 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Result TET procedures were successfully performed in all 25 cases. Postoperative pathology confirmed that 23 cases were of papillary cancer and the other 2 were follicle cancer. Lobectomy and subtotal thyroidectomy were performed in 11and 14 cases respectively. In 7 cases additional lymph node dissection was performed.All the cases were followed-up, ranging from 5 to 58 months, with a median of 28 months. No recurrence was found during this period. There was no morbidity nor major complications and patients were all satisfied with the cosmetic effect. Conclusion Totally endoscopic thyroidectomy (TET) is curative, safe and cosmetic therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.