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Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Quantitative comparison of three thyroidectomy approaches in neck muscles, voice, and swallowing functions
Shi-Lin Li1, Pei Du2, Tian Lv3
1Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, 121001, China; Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Center, Cancer Center, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, 310014, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Endocrine Gland Diseases of Zhejiang Province, 310014, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Clinical Research Center for Cancer of Zhejiang Province, 310014, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Objective:
This study compares endoscopic thyroidectomy by gasless unilateral axillary approach (ETGUA) and sternocleidomastoid leading-edge approach (SLEA) with conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) in hemithyroidectomy. The main focus is on the protection of neck muscles (sternocleidomastoid, omohyoid, sternothyroid) and the postoperative function of voice and swallowing yielded through these common approaches.
Methods:
A total of 302 patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy were enrolled and divided into three groups: ETGUA (n = 101), SLEA (n = 100), and COT (n = 101). Ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of bilateral neck muscles, including the sternocleidomastoid, omohyoid, and sternothyroid. The changes in thickness on the surgical side compared to the non-surgical side. Analyzed factors included muscle thickness changes, Swallowing Impairment Score (SIS), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating (SCAR), Neck Injury Index (NII), surgery duration, drainage volume, hospitalization, and number of lymph nodes.
Results:
The clinical characteristics among the three groups were consistent except for differences in sex, age, and BMI. Metrics such as sternocleidomastoid muscle, NII, hypocalcemia, postoperative PTH, transient hoarseness, and number of lymph nodes showed no significant differences among the three groups. However, significant differences were found in the duration of surgery, drainage volume, hospitalization period omohyoid muscle, Sternohyoid muscle, VHI, SIS, and SCAR (all p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
In comparison to COT, ETGUA and SLEA demonstrate superiority in protecting neck muscles and preserving voice and swallowing function without compromising surgical safety or radicality.
