Conventional Total Thyroidectomy Using a Novel Single Retractor: Technical Note for Apollo®

Despite the increasingly innovative techniques developed in thyroid surgery to offer patients minimally invasive and scarless interventions, conventional open procedures still account for most of the interventions performed in this field. The surgical incision length has been significantly reduced, from 6-9 cm to 3 cm, and therefore patients perceive the scar to be highly acceptable. In this technical note, we present the use of a new single retractor (APOLLO®; AFS MEDICAL GmbH, Teesdorf, Austria) for conventional open thyroidectomies with intraoperative neuromonitoring. This device offers several advantages: a) better exposure of the surgical field; b) less traction on skin flaps and neck muscles; and c) protection of the skin edges from the heat generated by energy-based devices/coagulating instruments, with consequent better healing.