Endoscopic thyroidectomy using a gasless axillary approach.
OBJECTIVE
We have recently developed an endoscopic thyroidectomy using a gasless axillary approach and report the surgical outcome of the procedure.


METHODS
The gasless axillary approach was performed through a 3-cm axillary incision using a retractor instead of carbon dioxide insufflation. We performed a total of 35 thyroidectomies using this technique in patients with benign thyroid nodules.


RESULTS
Thirty-four cases were successfully completed with the gasless axillary approach; one case had to be converted to a conventional technique after intraoperative frozen section revealed papillary carcinoma. The mean operative time and mean hospital stay were 180.6 +/- 54.5 minutes and 7.1 +/- 0.9 days, respectively. The mean tumor size was 2.9 +/- 1.4 cm. There were three minor postoperative complications: one case each of wound seroma, transient voice change, and persistent wound pain. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result. The axillary scars were not visible when the ipsilateral arms were in their natural position.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic thyroidectomy using a gasless axillary approach is a safe procedure that offers a good cosmetic result and has the merits of minimal invasiveness even in patients with a large thyroid mass. It is a safe and feasible alternative to traditional thyroid surgery, especially in young female patients with a large thyroid mass.
Jung
Eun-Jung
EJ
Department of Surgery, Postgraduate School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea.
Park
Soon-Tae
ST
Ha
Woo-Song
WS
Choi
Sang-Kyung
SK
Hong
Soon-Chan
SC
Lee
Young-Joon
YJ
Jeong
Chi-Young
CY
Joo
Young-Tae
YT
Moon
Hyeong-Gon
HG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000601:surgery; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*