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Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

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Thyroid thyrothymic extension: An anatomic study in a surgical series.

Patrick Sheahan¹, Fergal O'Duffy¹

¹Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.

|December 20, 2014

Summary

The thyrothymic extension (TTE), a thyroid projection, is common, appearing in 33.3% of lobes. Recognizing the TTE is crucial for surgeons to ensure complete total thyroidectomy during procedures.

Keywords:

anatomy parathyroid thymus thyroid thyrothymic

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Area of Science:

Anatomy
Surgical Anatomy
Thyroid Gland Anatomy

Background:

The thyrothymic extension (TTE) is a variable projection from the inferior thyroid pole.
Its anatomical significance, particularly in thyroid surgery, is often underestimated.
Limited literature exists on the prevalence and characteristics of the TTE.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the frequency of the thyrothymic extension (TTE) in a surgical series.
To highlight the importance of TTE awareness for surgical completeness.

Main Methods:

Prospective cohort study design.
Inclusion of 284 thyroid and parathyroid surgeries.
Data collection by a single experienced surgeon.

Main Results:

The TTE was identified in 138 of 414 evaluable thyroid lobes (33.3%).
No left or right side predilection was observed for TTE presence.
Bilateral TTE occurred in 57% of cases, with nodular enlargement in 5 instances and close association with the inferior parathyroid gland in 8%.

Conclusions:

The thyrothymic extension (TTE) is a frequently observed anatomical structure.
Surgical awareness of the TTE is essential for achieving complete total thyroidectomy.