Gasless Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Via an Axillary Approach

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Surgery for thyroid disease requires skin incisions that can result in postsurgical problems, such as prominent scars, adhesions and hypesthesia, as well as paresthesia of the neck. To overcome these problems we performed a gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via an axillary approach. METHODS: Between November 2001 and April 2005, 141 patients underwent a gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via an axillary approach. The surgical outcomes were evaluated in terms of the operating time, length of hospital stay and the incidence of perioperative complications. Patient opinions were assessed using a verbal response scale at two and four months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean operating time and length of hospital stay were 122.7+/-32.8 minutes and 3.4+/-0.9 days, respectively. No cases required either conversion to open surgery or involved significant intraoperative complications. Two months after surgery, 75 patients (53.2%) complained of hypesthesia or paresthesia in the anterior chest wall. The number of patients with such complaints (9.9%) had decreased 4 months after surgery (P<0.001). Four months after surgery, only 4 patients (2.8%) complained of hypesthesia or paresthesia in the neck, and 10 (7.1%) complained of discomfort while swallowing. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results. CONCLUSION: A gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via an axillary approach is feasible and safe, and provides excellent cosmetic results, with a minimal degree of postoperative complaints. This procedure provides another surgical option for the treatment of benign thyroid disease in selected patients.