An easier technique for minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy

Because of the efforts of many pioneer surgeons, the minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) has been recognized as a safe procedure, offering advantages such as better cosmetic outcome and less analgesic need. The MIVAT technique was described in 51 selected patients in 2001. The technique was not therefore widely used because of the excess operating time compared with traditional thyroidectomy, and most importantly, this method needed a steep learning period. This study reports a modified MIVAT procedure, which can make this operation easier and shorten the time of learning. We compared the outcomes of the originally described methods with our modified method. The selection criteria for performing MIVAT were as follows: thyroid nodules in one lobe and less than 50 mm on their largest diameter, benign lesion proved by fine-needle biopsy, patient without history of thyroiditis, and no previous neck surgery or irradiation. All patients received lobectomy. Sixty patients were eligible for MIVAT during a period of 27 months. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of the 17 patients who underwent MIVAT using the original technique that was described previously. Group B consisted of the 43 patients who underwent MIVAT using a self-designed Army retractor with a mosaic ring. The mean operation time of Group A was 120 minutes and that of Group B was 59.2 minutes. The size of the incisions was no difference in either group. There were no postoperative complications except in one patient with transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in Group A. There was one conversion to open thyroidectomy in Group A and none in Group B. The cosmetic results were no different between the two groups. In conclusion, the use of a modified Army retractor with a mosaic ring made the MIVAT procedure easier and offered similar advantages.