[Endoscopic thyroid surgery: a comparison of the trans-subclavian and the trans-areolar approach].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the advantages and shortcomings of the endoscopic thyroid surgery by trans-subclavian approach and trans-areolar approach.


METHODS
Twelve patients received the trans-areolar approach and 10 patients were given the trans-subclavian approach procedure.


RESULTS
With the trans-areolar approach: the mean size of tumor was 1.8 cm, the mean operating time was 115 min, the mean blood loss during operation was 63 ml. Two patients converted to the conventional operation. With the trans-subclavian procedure: the mean size of tumor was 4.2 cm, the mean operating time was 85 min, the mean blood loss during operation was 66 ml. No complications were found in all of the patients and they were satisfied with the cosmetic effects of the procedures. There were significant differences in tumor size and operating time between the two operation types.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with the trans-areolar approach, the trans-subclavian approach comes with less trauma, higher success rate and it fits for bigger tumor.
Liu
Yue-wu
YW
Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China. liuyuewu615@vip.sina.com
Li
Xiao-yi
XY
Liu
Hong-feng
HF
Gao
Wei-sheng
WS
Zhao
Yu-pei
YP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome