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Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Adopting the operating microscope in thyroid surgery: safety, efficiency, and ergonomics.
Bruce J Davidson1, Elizabeth Guardiani, Andrea Wang
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, 3800 Reservoir Road NW, First floor, Gorman Building, Washington, District of Columbia 20007, USA. davidsob@gunet.georgetown.edu
Head & Neck
|June 19, 2009
Summary
Using an operating microscope for thyroid surgery is safe. While surgical times may slightly increase, especially for central compartment node dissection, complication rates remain unchanged, indicating a safe and effective alternative.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Oncology
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Thyroid surgery often requires surgeons to maintain static neck flexion.
- Operating microscopes offer potential ergonomic benefits by reducing neck strain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficiency of operating microscope use in thyroidectomy.
- To compare outcomes between microscope-assisted and loupe-assisted thyroidectomies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case review comparing thyroidectomies performed with an operating microscope versus surgical loupes.
- Analysis of operative times and complication incidence.
Main Results:
- Operating microscope use was associated with longer surgical times, particularly in thyroidectomies involving central compartment node dissection (CND).
- No significant difference in complication rates was observed between the microscope and loupe groups.
- The study included 51 microscope cases and 65 loupe cases, with subsets for CND and substernal goiter (SG).
Conclusions:
- Operating microscope use in thyroidectomy is a safe surgical approach.
- A modest increase in surgical time may be expected, especially for complex procedures like CND.
