Endoscopic total thyroidectomy using a unilateral transaxillary approach: A case report

Endoscopic transaxillary thyroidectomy is a common method for remote-access thyroidectomy. The approach typically uses a gasless method, and a long incision to insert a special retractor. In addition, it is considered only suitable for unilateral lobectomy because of problems accessing contralateral parts of the thyroid gland. We describe here, a case of a young woman who had a total thyroidectomy performed using an endoscopic approach. We reduced the non-inflated 4-6 cm incision that is usually required, into three holes, and performed unilateral transaxillary thyroidectomy; this was verified by radioactive iodine uptake and thyroglobulin levels during follow-up. The approach was clinically successful and resulted in minimal scarring. More studies are required to optimize this promising technique.