[Gasless endoscopic selective lateral neck dissection via an anterior chest approach for papillary thyroid...

Objective: To assess the safety and curative effect of gasless endoscopic selective lateral neck dissection (GESLND) via an anterior chest approach for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: Eighteen patients with PTC(T1-2N1bM0, size<3.0 cm), having GESLND via an anterior chest approach, were included from November 2008 to December 2016. Results: GESLND via an anterior chest approach was successfully performed in all 18 PTC patients (seven male and eleven female) with 83.3% of T1 and 16.7% of T2. The mean operative time of selective lateral neck dissection was 73 min (range 51-92 min). The mean of intraoperative bleeding was 61.1 ml (range 30-120 ml). No major complications occurred except one transient hypoparathyroidism. No residual thyroid glands were detected on ultrasonography and thyroglobulin was(0.73±0.16)ng/ml three months postoperatively. The median of follow-up was 54.5 months (range 6-104 months). No recurrence disease was observed in any patient on ultrasonography, computer tomography, thyroglobulin or selective iodine-131 scan during the follow-up period. The cosmetic result and functional preservation was excellent, when the assessments were performed three months postoperatively. Conclusion: GESLND via an anterior chest approach is feasible and safe for selected PTCs, with superior appearance.