Minimally invasive approach to thyroid gland surgery--indications, methods, first results

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Minimally invasive surgical techniques have expanded into thyroid gland surgery.
• This study evaluates two such techniques: minimally invasive thyroidectomy (MIT) and minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of MIT and MIVAT in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules.
• To assess complication rates, hospitalization duration, and pain levels associated with each technique.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study of 48 patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules (up to 3.5 cm) undergoing MIT (26 patients) or MIVAT (22 patients).
• Exclusion criteria included recurrent goiter, malignancy, and prior radiation therapy.
• Preoperative assessment included history, physical exam, blood tests, ultrasonography, and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Main Results:

• Hospitalization duration was similar: 16 ± 3.14 hours for MIT and 18 ± 3.56 hours for MIVAT.
• No recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injuries or operative wound complications were reported.
• One case of postoperative hypoparathyroidism was noted. Follow-up averaged 6.56 ± 3.14 months with no other registered complications.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive thyroidectomy approaches are feasible and favorable for selected patients with specific thyroid gland limitations and without severe comorbidities.
• Both MIT and MIVAT yielded comparable clinical results, indicating no significant differences in efficacy or safety for the studied patient cohort.