title: Video-assisted thyroidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In 1998, we developed a technique for video-assisted thyroidectomy (VAT). In this paper, we report on the entire series of patients who underwent VAT and discuss the results obtained.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three patients were selected for VAT. Eligibility criteria were: thyroid nodules </=35 mm in maximum diameter; estimated thyroid volume within normal range or slightly enlarged; small, low-risk papillary carcinomas; no previous neck surgery or irradiation and no thyroiditis. The VAT procedure was totally gasless. It was performed under endoscopic vision through a single 1.5 to 2.0-cm skin incision, using a technique very similar to conventional surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-one VATs were attempted on 73 patients. Forty-five lobectomies, 24 total thyroidectomies and eight completion thyroidectomies were successfully performed. Mean operative time was 82 minutes for lobectomy, 100 minutes for total thyroidectomy and 77 minutes for completion thyroidectomy. The conversion rate was 4.9%. Postoperative complications included two transient recurrent nerve palsies, five transient symptomatic postoperative hypocalcaemias and one wound infection. The cosmetic result was considered excellent by most of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VAT is a feasible and and safe procedure that allows for excellent cosmetic results. In selected cases, it can be a valid option for the surgical treatment of thyroid diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bellantone
authors.forename: Celestino P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Marco P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Raffaelli
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boscherini
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Crea
authors.forename: Pier Francesco
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Alesina
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Traini
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Princi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery