title: Minimally invasive nonendoscopic thyroidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Minimal-access thyroid surgery, using various techniques, is increasingly being reported. The present study reviews our experience with thyroid surgery using a minimally invasive approach (MIT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between October 2002 and December 2004, a prospective nonrandomized study of patients undergoing thyroid surgery was performed to evaluate the variables that might condition the indications to minimally invasive nonendoscopic approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  296 patients underwent thyroid surgery; 46 of these were eligible for MIT through a 2.5- to 3-cm incision. There was one case of transient inferior laryngeal nerve palsy and no postoperative definitive hypoparathyroidism. MIT was converted to conventional thyroidectomy only in two cases. Cosmetic results were considered excellent by all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimal-access thyroid surgery is a safe and feasible alternative to conventional thyroid surgery in selected cases. The advantage that this technique offers, in addition to low morbidity, is an improved cosmetic result.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, S.Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. ocavicchi@libero.it
authors.forename: Ottavio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cavicchi
authors.forename: Ottavio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Piccin
authors.forename: Alberto Rinaldi
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ceroni
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Caliceti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*