Video-assisted thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
In patients with small papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), we evaluated the operative feasibility and safety of video-assisted thyroidectomy (VAT) and the completeness of the surgical resection.


METHODS
Video-assisted thyroidectomy was attempted in 24 patients with thyroid malignancy. Total thyroid resection for PTC was achieved completely by VAT in 20 of them, who were included in this study.


RESULTS
In this study, 12 total thyroidectomies and 8 lobectomies followed by completion thyroidectomies were performed. Eight patients also underwent central neck lymph node dissection. Mean postoperative serum thyroglobulin was 0.2 ng/ml for patients receiving LT4 suppressive treatment and 4.2 ng/ml for patients after LT4 withdrawal. Postoperative ultrasonography showed no residual thyroid tissue. The mean radioiodine uptake at postoperative scintiscan was 2.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
In the case of PTC, VAT is feasible and safe. The completeness of the surgical resection seems comparable with that reported for conventional surgery. Nevertheless, larger series and longer follow-up evaluation are necessary for definitive conclusions to be drawn about its oncologic validity.
Bellantone
R
R
Division of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Lombardi
C P
CP
Raffaelli
M
M
Alesina
P F
PF
De Crea
C
C
Traini
E
E
Salvatori
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery / Q000379:methods*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes