Endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast areola approach / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the feasibility and advantages of endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast areola approach.Methods Endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast areola approach was performed in 113 cases between August 2002 and May 2005.Preoperative diagnosis included 46 cases of adenoma,62 cases of nodular goiter,and 5 cases of Graves' disease.Results The operation was successfully completed endoscopically in 112 cases,and was converted to conventional thyroidectomy in 1 case because of bleeding.The tumor was 2.3?1.6 cm in diameter(range,0.8~7.0 cm).The operating time was 136.7?58.0 min(range,50~310 min),the intraoperative blood loss was 42.5?62.7 ml(range,10~200 ml),the postoperative drainage volume was 87.1?78.1 ml(range,15~310 ml),the time to resume normal activities was 2.2?0.9 d(range,1~4 d),and the length of postoperative hospital stay was 5.5?1.9 d(range,2~9 d).Out of the 113 cases,analgesic requirement was necessary in 18 cases (15.9%).Postoperative complications occurred in 6 cases,including 2 cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries,1 case of superior laryngeal nerve injuries,1 case of hemorrhage,1 case of hypocalcemia,and 1 case of recurrence of Graves' disease.Pathological results showed 43 cases of thyroid adenoma,58 cases of nodular goiter,5 cases of Graves' disease,3 cases of thyroid cancer,and 4 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.Conclusions Endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast areola approach is a technically feasible and safe procedure.It can be employed as the first choice for indicated patients.