Comparative Study in Oral, Breast Approach and Open Thyroidectomy

Comparative Study of Surgical Results in Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Via Oral Approach, Via Breast Approach and Conventional Open Thyroidectomy

Purpose: Total endoscopic thyroidectomy including oral approach and breast approach has excellent cosmetic and several functional results. Many patients, especially women, undergoing thyroid surgery are concerned about the postoperative cosmetic appearance of the neck. The procedure of total endoscopic thyroidectomy by breast approach only left three incisions, while by oral approach did not leave any incisions in the body surface, which is scarless in the neck, involved with a higher cosmetic result. However, the long-term property evaluation of total endoscopic thyroidectomy was not confirmed. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the surgical results of total endoscopic thyroidectomy (transoral approach and breast approach) versus conventional open thyroidectomy.

Purpose: Total endoscopic thyroidectomy including oral approach and breast approach has excellent cosmetic and several functional results. Many patients, especially women, undergoing thyroid surgery are concerned about the postoperative cosmetic appearance of the neck. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via vestibular approach (TOETVA) and endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast approach were routinely performed in our institute. The procedures of total endoscopic thyroidectomy by breast approach only left three incisions, while by oral approach did not leave any incisions in the body surface, which is scarless in the neck, involved with a higher cosmetic result. However, the comprehensive comparison between transoral approach, breast approach and conventional open method was not confirmed. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the surgical results of total endoscopic thyroidectomy (transoral approach and breast approach) versus conventional open thyroidectomy.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age: 15~55 years old;
2. Type: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma, diameter ≤ 2cm, cN0 or cN1a, M0;
3. Thyroid lobe was less than the second degree enlargement;
4. Thyroid benign goiter, and the diameter ≤ 6cm

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Combine the surgical history of mandibular, oral, facial, or neck;
2. It was shown by preoperative radiological examination that the thyroid cancer has local invasion, N1b, or distant metastasis.
3. Thyroid lobe was more than the third degree enlargement
4. Any medical history that probably interfere the test results or increase the disease risks
5. The patient's compliance is not very well, and cannot work as the doctors asked