Initial experience with a gasless unilateral axillo-breast or axillary approach endoscopic thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: comparison with conventional open thyroidectomy

The efficacy of various endoscopic thyroidectomy has not been determined for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). We compared 31 consecutive patients with PTMC who underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy by a gasless unilateral axillo-breast or axillary approach, and the 36 PTMC patients who underwent conventional open thyroid lobectomy from August 2005 to December 2008. There were more female patients (P=0.004) in the endoscopic group, and the mean age of endoscopic group was younger than that of the open thyroidectomy group (P=0.006). The entire endoscopic thyroidectomy was successfully completed in all the patients. The operative time was longer for those undergoing endoscopic thyroidectomy (P<0.001). The complication rate did not differ between the 2 groups. The cosmetic satisfaction, as evaluated by questionnaire, was greater in the endoscopic group (P<0.001). Endoscopic thyroidectomy by a gasless unilateral axillo-breast or axillary approach for selected cases of PTMC is a feasible, safe, and cosmetically superior procedure.     

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma: a prospective study of its completeness

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) in papillary thyroid carcinoma is still debated. Some are concerned about this procedure in patients with thyroid cancer. This prospective study aimed to demonstrate that near-total thyroidectomy can be performed by MIVAT with similar results compared with open thyroidectomy. METHODS: A total of 33 patients with a thyroid nodule proven to be a papillary thyroid carcinoma underwent a near-total thyroidectomy. They were randomly assigned to group A (n = 16) or group B (n = 17) who were treated either by MIVAT or conventional near-total thyroidectomy, respectively. Iodine-131 thyroid bed uptake and serum thyroglobulin were measured 1 month after operation. Data were analyzed by unpaired t test and Mann-Whitney statistic methods. RESULTS: . Mean iodine-131 uptake was 5.1 +/- 4.9% in group A and 4.6 +/- 6.7% in group B. Mean thyroglobulin serum levels were 5.3 +/- 5.8 ng/mL in group A and 7.6 +/- 21.7 ng/mL in group B. The differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the completeness obtained with MIVAT is similar to that obtained with open thyroidectomy, with the great advantage of a minimal neck wound. No conclusions can be drawn in terms of influence of MIVAT on the outcome of the patients with small papillary thyroid carcinoma.     

Surgical complications after robotic thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma: a single center experience with 3,000 patients

Background

Robotic thyroidectomy (RT), a new gasless, transaxillary approach developed by the Yonsei University group in Seoul, Korea, eliminates the need for a cervical incision. Since RT is technically complex and has a steep learning curve, the surgical complication rate may initially be higher than with conventional surgery. This study evaluated the complication rates of transaxillary RT and assessed ways to prevent surgical complications.

Methods

Between October 2007 and March 2013, 3,000 patients underwent RT for thyroid cancer in the Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine at Severance Hospital, Seoul. The medical records of these patients were reviewed retrospectively, and surgical complications were assessed on the basis of clinical findings.

Results

The most common surgical complication was symptomatic hypocalcemia, of which 37.43 % cases were transient and 1.10 % permanent. Other surgical complications included recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (1.23 % transient, 0.27 % permanent), seroma (1.73 %), hematoma (0.37 %), chyle leakage (0.37 %), trachea injury (0.2 %), Horner’s syndrome (0.03 %), carotid artery injury (0.03 %), and brachiocephalic vein injury (0.03 %). The technique-related complications, which were never seen in conventional open thyroidectomy, were axillary skin flap perforation (0.1 %), and traction injury of the arm on the side the lesion was located (0.13 %).

Conclusions

Surgeons who have mastered standardized robotic surgical procedures and who understand potential complications and how to prevent them can perform RT safely.     

Prospective comparative study of endoscopic via unilateral axillobreast approach versus open conventional total thyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma

Background

Total thyroidectomy can be accomplished in one of two ways. The first is an open conventional approach, and the other is an endoscopic unilateral axillobreast approach (UABA). However, the two have not been thoroughly compared. In the study described herein, we compare the technical feasibility, safety, and surgical completeness of open versus endoscopic total thyroidectomy procedures.

Methods

A total of 152 patients who underwent open (n = 102) or endoscopic (n = 50) total thyroidectomy via UABA for papillary microcarcinoma from January to December 2011 were enrolled in this study. Data were collected prospectively after obtaining informed consent. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, pathologic results, postoperative thyroglobulin (Tg) levels, and results of radioactive iodine treatment between the two groups.

Results

We conclude that endoscopic thyroidectomy resulted in a younger age, lower body mass index, longer operation time and drain maintenance, and larger drain amount. There were no significant differences with respect to gender, hospital stay, tumor size, time for central compartment neck dissection, number of harvested ipsilateral lymph nodes, or bleeding amount between groups. The proportion of extrathyroidal extension, multifocality, and bilaterality did not differ, and the surgical complication rate was similar. In addition, the postoperative stimulated and non-stimulated Tg levels did not differ significantly, nor did the thyroid bed/brain iodine uptake ratio.

Conclusions

Based on our results, endoscopic total thyroidectomy via UABA is technically feasible and has comparable surgical completeness to open total thyroidectomy for papillary microcarcinoma within 1 cm.

     

Comparison of total endoscopic thyroidectomy with conventional open thyroidectomy for treatment of papillary thyroid cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Despite the fact that thyroid surgery has evolved towards minimal incisions and endoscopic approaches, the role of total endoscopic thyroidectomy (TET) in thyroid cancer has been highly disputed. We performed a systematic review and meta-analyses of peer reviewed studies in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TET compared with conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Medical literature databases such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of science were systematically searched for articles that compared TET and COT in PTC treatment from database inception until March 2019. The quality of the studies included in the review was evaluated using the Downs and Black scale using Review Manager software Stata V.13.0 for the meta-analysis. The systematic review and meta-analysis were based on 5664 cases selected from twenty publications. Criteria used to determine surgical completeness included postoperative thyroglobulin (TG) levels, recurrence of the tumor after long-term follow-up. Adverse event and complication rate scores included transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy, permanent RLN palsy, transient hypocalcaemia, permanent hypocalcaemia, operative time, number of removed lymph nodes, length of hospital stay and patient cosmetic satisfaction. TET was found to be generally equivalent to COT in terms of surgical completeness and adverse event rate, although TET resulted in lower levels of transient hypocalcemia (OR 1.66; p < 0.05), a smaller number of the retrieved lymph nodes (WMD 0.46; p < 0.05), and better cosmetic satisfaction (WMD 1.73; p < 0.05). COT was associated with a shorter operation time (WMD − 50.28; p < 0.05) and lower rates of transient RLN palsy (OR 0.41; p < 0.05). The results show that in terms of safety and efficacy, TET was similar to COT for the treatment of thyroid cancer. Indeed, the tumor recurrence rates and the level of surgical completeness in TET are similar to those obtained for COT. TET was associated with significantly lower levels of transient hypocalcemia and better cosmetic satisfaction, and thus is the better option for patients with cosmetic concerns. Overall, randomized clinical trials and studies with larger patient cohorts and long-term follow-up data are required to further demonstrate the value of the TET.     

全乳晕腔镜途径与传统开放手术治疗T1期乳头状甲状腺癌的疗效比较

目的:比较全乳晕腔镜下与传统开放手术治疗T_1期甲状腺乳头状癌的临床效果。方法:回顾性分析2016年1月—2017年12月行全乳晕入路腔镜甲状腺手术56例T_1期甲状腺乳头状癌患者(腔镜组)与行传统开放甲状腺手术的56例T_1期甲状腺乳头状癌患者(开放组)的临床资料。结果:两组术前一般资料和手术方式比较差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。腔镜组平均手术时间高于开放组(132.1minvs.96.7min,P0.05),两组在术中出血量、清扫淋巴结数和转移阳性率、术后并发症方面无统计学差异(均P0.05)。腔镜组中,癌结节直径1cm的患者与癌结节直径1~2cm的患者间比较,后者手术时间和术后暂时性低钙血症发生率方面明显高于前者(P0.05),但两者术中出血量、中央区清扫淋巴结数及阳性率、术后并发症均无明显差异(均P0.05)。术后随访腔镜组与开放组均无复发和转移征象。结论:全乳晕腔镜途径下手术治疗T1期甲状腺乳头状癌是安全可行的,与传统甲状腺手术具有相似的临床疗效。     

Factors contributing to surgical outcomes of transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma

Introduction

Transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy is considered a technically feasible and safe treatment option for patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of the present study was to determine the factors that contribute to the perioperative surgical outcomes of robotic thyroidectomy and to suggest guidelines for patient selection to be used by surgeons inexperienced in the technique.

Method

We reviewed the records of 275 patients with PTC who underwent robotic total thyroidectomy using a gasless, transaxillary single-incision approach at Yonsei University Health System, South Korea, between January 2011 and May 2012. The association between surgical outcomes and clinicopathologic factors was assessed using linear and logistic regression analysis.

Results

The contributing factors for surgical outcomes of robotic thyroidectomy were categorized as patient factors, including gender and body mass index (BMI), and thyroid-specific factors, including thyroid gland size, coexistent thyroiditis, tumor size, and serum anti-thyroglobulin antibody and anti-microsomal antibody titers. Of these, male gender, a large thyroid gland, and thyroiditis significantly increased the total operation time. Male gender, thyroiditis, and overweight BMI increased the working space time, and a large thyroid gland and overweight BMI affected the console time. A large thyroid gland and histological thyroiditis were associated with increased intraoperative blood loss. There was no association between postoperative complications and clinicopathologic parameters.

Conclusion

Male gender, overweight BMI, a large thyroid gland, and coexistent thyroiditis adversely affected the surgical outcome of robotic thyroidectomy. Surgeons inexperienced in the technique should avoid or carefully approach individuals with these factors.     

胸乳入路腔镜手术与开放手术治疗甲状腺单侧叶结节的疗效分析

比较胸乳入路腔镜甲状腺手术与开放手术治疗甲状腺单侧叶结节的临床效果.回顾性分析2019年5～10月134例行甲状腺单侧叶切除术患者临床资料.根据患者意愿及腔镜甲状腺手术适应证,行开放手术患者90例(开放组),行胸乳入路腔镜甲状腺手术(腔镜甲状腺)患者44例(腔镜组).根据术中快速病理确定术式,甲状腺良性病变者行甲状腺单...     

腔镜与开放性甲状腺手术的对比研究

目的腔镜与开放性甲状腺手术临床效果的对比研究。方法回顾性分析2002年8月至2005年5月113例腔镜甲状腺切除术(腔镜组)和104例开放性甲状腺切除术(开放组)的临床资料。结果两组的手术时间、住院时间、术后住院时间差异无显著性意义。腔镜组失血量(42.5±62.8)mL明显少于开放组(118.2±120.8)mL,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);而腔镜组引流量多于开放组(P<0.05);腔镜组术后恢复活动时间为(2.2±1.0)d,与开放组(2.5±1.1)d比较差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);腔镜组术后镇痛药需求比开放组明显减少,而住院费用高于开放组。术后并发症腔镜组以喉上和喉返神经损伤为主,且甲状腺功能亢进术后并发症发生率较高,而开放组主要是术后出血。结论选择合适的病例实施腔镜甲状腺手术是安全可行的,具有美容、疼痛轻、出血少的优点。     

The impact of body habitus on the surgical outcomes of transaxillary single-incision robotic thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients

Background

Robotic applications have achieved safe and precise thyroidectomy with notable cosmetic and functional benefits. This study was designed to document the influence of body habitus on robotic thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients.

Methods

From July 2009 to February 2010, 352 patients underwent robotic thyroidectomy using a gasless, transaxillary single-incision approach at Yonsei University Health System. Body habitus was described using body mass index category (normal weight, overweight, obese), neck length, shoulder width, and shoulder width to neck length ratios. The impact of body habitus on surgical outcomes was analyzed with respect to operation time, number of retrieved central nodes, bleeding amount, and postoperative complications.

Results

Of the 352 patients, 217 underwent less than total thyroidectomy and 135 underwent total thyroidectomy. Operative variables (i.e. operation times, bleeding amounts, and numbers of retrieved central nodes) showed no significant differences between three BMI groups for less than total thyroidectomy. However, total operation and working space times were longer for obese patients during total thyroidectomy. In particular, shoulder width was positively correlated with total operation time, working space time, console time, and number of retrieved central nodes. On the other hand, postoperative complications were not significantly different in the three BMI groups and showed no significant correlation with the other indices of body habitus.

Conclusions

Standardized robotic thyroidectomy can be performed safely and feasibly in patients with a large body habitus despite longer operation times.     

经胸乳入路腔镜甲状腺微小乳头状癌切除术与传统开放手术的对比研究

目的:探讨经胸乳入路腔镜甲状腺微小乳头状癌切除术与传统开放手术的临床效果、安全性及卫生经济学.方法:回顾分析2018年9月至2020年8月收治的44例甲状腺微小乳头状癌患者的临床资料,其中21例(腔镜组)行经胸乳入路腔镜甲状腺微小乳头状癌切除术,23例(开放组)行甲状腺微小乳头状癌传统开放手术,对比分析两组患者性别、年...