[Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy--techniques and results over 4 years of experience (1999-2002)].
BACKGROUND
This study reviews four years of Minimally Invasive Video Assisted Thyroidectomy (MIVAT) technique and compares the results to those of traditional thyroid surgery.


METHODS
Between 1999 and 2002, a series of 427 patients were submitted to MIVAT at our Department. Selection criteria were: thyroid nodule maximum diameter of 3.5 cm, total thyroid volume under 25 cc, no signs associated thyroiditis, diagnosis of benign thyroid disease or "low risk" thyroid tumor, no evidence of nodal disease of the neck.


RESULTS
We operated on 362 females and 65 males and the mean age of the population was 39.6 years (range 10-77). A total thyroidectomy was performed in 208 cases, and 219 patients underwent a single-side procedure. Mean operative time was 30.4 minutes for lobectomy (range 20-140 minutes) and 50.2 for total thyroidectomy (range 35-140). Complications were represented by definitive recurrent nerve palsy in 3 patients (0.7%) and one case of definitive hypoparathyroidism (0.4%). A wound infection is reported in 3 cases and we had no major bleeding that required surgical revision. A conversion to open procedure was performed in 5 cases (1.2%); mean hospitalisation was 1.28 days (range: 1-4).


CONCLUSIONS
This series demonstrates that MIVAT is not different to conventional open surgery in terms of complications, radicality of the procedure and operative time. Moreover, even if not statistically proved, MIVAT appears to offer some advantages in terms of cosmetic results and postoperative pain. In conclusion, we believe that MIVAT is a perfectly reproducible and safe technique for both benign and low-risk malignant thyroid disease, when correct indications are strictly followed.
Dipartimento di Chirurgia Generale, Università degli Studi di Pisa.
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P
Miccoli
M N
MN
Minuto
L
L
Barellini
D
D
Galleri
M
M
Massi
J
J
D'Agostino
G
G
Materazzi
P
P
Berti
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery