Current technology in thyroid surgery.
OBJECTIVE
After nearly 100 years of inertia in the field of thyroid surgery, the last 5 years have seen substantial changes in how patients with thyroid disease are approached surgically. Much of this evolution has been technologically driven, particularly as a result of advances in high-resolution endoscopy and ultrasonic technology, intraoperative image guidance, and cranial nerve monitoring.


METHODS
State-of-the-art review.


RESULTS
Three emerging technologies that are gradually becoming embraced by thyroid surgeons are reviewed in detail.


CONCLUSIONS
Modern endocrine-head and neck surgeons bear an obligation to cautiously consider value-adding technologies when a benefit to their patients is apparent.
Terris
David J
DJ
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-4060, USA. dterris@mcg.edu
Stack
Brendan C
BC
D004576:Electromyography; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D009431:Neural Conduction; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*