Clinical Analysis between the Endoscopic Thyroidectomy and the Open Thyroidectomy during the Same Period

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We peformed endoscopic thyroidectomy and open thyroidectomy during the same period. In this study, we analyzed the result (merits and demerits) between endoscopic procedure and open procedure. METHODS: From Aug. 2003 to Aug. 2004, each procedure was performed in 92 patients. Conventional open thyroidectomy was underwent in 50 patients and endoscopic thyroidectomy was underwent in 42 patients. We performed the endoscopic thyroidectomy using breast approach. The 2 incisions, which could use 12 mm ports were placed on the areolar area of the breast as a circumferential fashion. The remaining 1 incision, which could use 5 mm port was placed on the right subclavicular area, 3~4 cm below right clavicle. We used 25 degree, a rigid laparoscope with 5 mm Hg of CO2 insufflation pressure. We also compared the results of mean ages and sex ratio, pathologic diagnosis, extent of operation, mean hospital day, mean operation time between open surgery group and endoscopic thyroidectomy group. RESULTS: We found that the mean age in the endoscopic group was younger, inversely the operation time was longer than in the open surgery group significantly (P0.05). The endoscopic group in the aspect of cosmetic was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: We could perform the endoscopic thyroidectomy safely and feasibly. The endoscopic surgery was cosmetically satisfactory. We expect it can increase the extent of surgery.