Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy: preliminary experience in Italy

Gianlorenzo Dionigi, Alessandro Bacuzzi, Matteo Lavazza, Davide Inversini, Luigi Boni, Stefano Rausei, Hoon Yub Kim, Angkoon Anuwong

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    77 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a feasible novel surgical procedure that does not need visible incisions. We describe our initial experience with TOETVA. We recruited 15 patients who were willing to undergo TOETVA. Inclusion criteria were (a) patients who had a neck ultrasound (US) with a estimated thyroid diameter not larger than 10 cm; (b) US estimated gland volume ≤45 mL; (c) nodule size ≤50 mm; (d) a benign tumor, such as a thyroid cyst, single-nodular goiter, or multinodular goiter; (e) follicular neoplasm; (f) papillary microcarcinoma without evidence of metastasis. The procedure is carried out through a three-port technique placed at the oral vestibule, one 10-mm port for 30° endoscope and two additional 5-mm ports for dissecting and coagulating instruments. CO2 insufflation pressure is set at 6 mmHg. An anterior cervical subplatysmal space is created from the oral vestibule down to the sternal notch, laterally to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Thyroidectomy is done fully endoscopically using conventional endoscopic instruments and intraoperative neuromonitoring. There were 34% total thyroidectomies and 66% hemithyroidectomies. All TOETVA procedures were performed successfully with no conversions. The mean operative time was 87.6 (59–118) min for lobectomy and 107.6 (99–135) min for bilateral procedure. We observed one case of transient postoperative hypocalcemia. There was no recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. The cosmetic result was excellent in all patients. This is the first case series of TOETVA in Italy. TOETVA may provide a method for ideal cosmetic results. The results are encouraging, and we are optimistic about the future expansion of its applicability.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)225-234
    Number of pages10
    JournalUpdates in Surgery
    Volume69
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017 Jun 1

    Keywords

    • Endoscopic thyroidectomy
    • Minimally invasive thyroidectomy
    • Thyroid surgery

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Surgery

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy: preliminary experience in Italy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this