Comparing endoscopic thyroidectomy using the breast approach and conventional open thyroidectomy: A retrospective...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Thyroid tumors are commonly treated with thyroidectomy.
• Conventional open thyroidectomy (OT) can result in visible scarring.
• Endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) using the breast approach offers a minimally invasive alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the safety, cosmetic outcomes, and feasibility of endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) versus conventional open thyroidectomy (OT).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 456 patients undergoing thyroidectomy (January 2019 - August 2020).
• Patients underwent unilateral thyroid lobectomy with or without central neck lymph node dissection based on pathology.
• Comparison of clinical characteristics, operative factors, postoperative outcomes, and cosmetic results between ET and OT groups.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in postoperative calcium levels, parathyroid hormone levels, or lymph node yield between ET and OT.
• Patients in the malignant ET group were younger with smaller tumors compared to the malignant OT group.
• ET demonstrated comparable safety and oncologic outcomes to OT.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) is a feasible, practical, and safe procedure for treating thyroid tumors.
• ET provides excellent cosmetic benefits compared to conventional open thyroidectomy (OT).
• ET is a viable alternative for patients seeking improved aesthetic outcomes post-thyroidectomy.