Endoscopic thyroid surgery: animal experiment and clinical application / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic thyroid adenoma excision. Methods Dogs were used to practice endoscopic thyroid surgery under anesthesia. On the basis of animal experiment, endoscopic technique was introduced into dissection of follicular nodule of the thyroid lobe. One male and 11 females, aging between 23～52, underwent endoscopic enucleation of thyroid tumors from March 2002 to October 2002. Results The procedure was successful in 11 cases with 1 case converted to open surgery. The average time of operation was 70*!min, and intraoperative blood loss was 5～20*!ml. The patients had minimal pain. The cosmetic result was excellent. The incisions were completely hidden even with open necked skirt. Conclusions The cosmetic result of endoscopic thyroidectomy is satisfactory.