The minimally invasive surgical approach in thyroid diseases

AIM: The targets of minimally invasive thyroidectomy could be summarised by: achievement of the same results as those obtained with traditional surgery, better postoperative course and improved cosmetic RESULTS: In minimally invasive surgical approach the skin incision should not exceed 30 mm in length. In our experience this limit may be extended of 5 mm for thyroid between 25 and 50 mL in volume. This way allows more patients, excluded before, to take the advantages of minimally invasive approach. The aim of this work has been to demonstrate that the central neck minimally invasive approach is safe, less painful, better for cosmetic results and easily reproducible in surgical practice. METHODS: From January 2003 to June 2007, 75 patients have been selected for minimally invasive thyroidectomy. The procedure was carried out through a central skin incision performed 'high' between the cricoid and jugular notch. Our 'modified Miccoli-procedure' consists in five-easily repeatable steps. In the postoperative stay, all patients were asked to evaluate the pain that feel and the cosmetic result by means of a numeric scale. RESULTS: The skin incision performed was from 25 to 30 mm (mean 27.39 +/- 2.6 mm). We obtained in all cases excellent results about patients cure rate and comfort, few postoperative pain and attractive cosmetic RESULTS: CONCLUSION: In this study we demonstrate that the central neck minimally invasive approach is safe, less painful, better for cosmetic results, with less paresthetic consequences and easily reproducible in surgical practice. In our opinion a longer incision (up to 35 mm), does not affect negatively the advantages of minimally invasive procedure. This way allows more patients to take the advantages of minimally invasive approach.     

Clinical Benefits of Minimally Invasive Techniques in Thyroid Surgery

Background Recently there has been a strong impetus to develop minimally invasive techniques in endocrine neck surgery. This study was designed to investigate the potential benefits of two minimally invasive thyroidectomy procedures, namely video-assisted and open minimal-incision thyroidectomy (VAT and MIT, respectively) when compared with conventional thyroidectomy. Methods Between May 2000 and June 2006, a prospective, nonrandomized study was performed on 957 consecutive patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Fifty-six (5.8%) patients underwent VAT, 214 (22.4%) underwent MIT, and 687 (71.8%) underwent a conventional procedure. Results Patients were selected for VAT when total thyroid volume was ≤30 ml and for MIT when total thyroid volume was >30 but ≤80 ml as determined by ultrasonography. The length of the central neck skin incision was 1.5–2 cm for VAT, 2.5–3.5 cm for MIT, and 6–10 cm for the conventional operation. The incidence of definitive hypoparathyroidism or recurrent laryngeal palsy after VAT or MIT was comparable with that occurring after conventional treatment. Patients having VAT or MIT experienced significantly less postoperative pain than patients undergoing conventional treatment. Less pain was also registered in the VAT patient cohort when compared with the MIT cohort. Patients having VAT or MIT were more satisfied with the cosmetic result than patients who underwent conventional treatment, but no significant differences in patient satisfaction were found between the VAT and MIT groups. Conclusions When compared with conventional treatment, VAT and MIT provided significant benefit in terms of cosmetic results and postoperative pain. Nevertheless, the main limiting factor for minimally invasive thyroid surgery still remains the size of the thyroid. This study was supported by grants from the Italian Ministry of University, Scientific and Technological Research.     

Benefits and limits of minimally invasive techniques in thyroid surgery

The present study was designed to investigate the potential benefits and limits of two minimally invasive thyroidectomy procedures, namely minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) and open minimal-incision thyroidectomy (MIT). From May 2000 to June 2006, a prospective, non-randomised study was performed on 957 consecutive patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Fifty-six (5.8%) underwent MIVAT, 214 (22.4%) MIT and 687 (71.8%) conventional thyroidectomy (CT). Patients were selected for MIVAT when total thyroid volume was < or = 30 mL and for MIT when total thyroid volume was > 30 but < or = 80 mL, as determined by ultrasonography. The length of the central neck skin incision was 1.5-2 cm for MIVAT, 2.5-3.5 cm for MIT and 6-10 cm for CT. The incidence of definitive hypoparathyroidism or recurrent laryngeal palsy after MIVAT or MIT was comparable to that occurring after CT. Patients undergoing MIVAT or MIT experienced significantly less postoperative pain than those undergoing CT. Less pain was also registered in the MIVAT patient cohort as compared to the MIT group. Patients undergoing MIVAT or MIT were more satisfied with the cosmetic result as compared to those undergoing CT, whereas no significant differences were found between the MIVAT and MIT groups. As compared to CT, MIVAT and MIT provided a significant improvement in terms of cosmetic results and postoperative pain. Nevertheless, the main limiting factor for minimally invasive thyroid surgery still remains the size of the thyroid.     

Minimally invasive, totally gasless video-assisted thyroid lobectomy.

BACKGROUND: Neck surgery is one of the newest fields of application of video-assisted surgery. We developed a technique for minimally invasive, totally gasless video-assisted thyroid lobectomy. METHODS: The procedure was accepted by a patient with a follicular nodule of the left lobe of the thyroid. We performed a left thyroid lobectomy through a single 20-mm horizontal skin incision, just above the sternal notch, after inserting a 5-mm 30 degrees laparoscope, by using both endoscopic and conventional instrumentation. RESULTS: The recurrent laryngeal nerve and the parathyroid glands were easily identified and preserved. The operating time was 2.5 hours. No complication occurred. The postoperative stay was 2 days. The cosmetic result was excellent CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that our technique is feasible and safe. This makes us optimistic about the future of minimally invasive, video-assisted thyroid surgery.     

Minimally invasive surgery for thyroid and parathyroid diseases

During the past 4 years, some minimally invasive procedures for thyroid and parathyroid surgery have been described. All these techniques have been demonstrated as feasible and safe. Nevertheless, the surgeon should be well trained to obtain the best results with these approaches. Moreover, not all patients are eligible for minimally invasive procedures. At the moment, they can be proposed for most patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism, but only for a minority of patients with thyroid nodules. The results from minimally invasive procedures are almost comparable with those of conventional surgery, but they have additional advantages in terms of cosmetic result and postoperative pain. Therefore, these procedures should be considered a valid option by surgeons dealing with neck endocrine surgery.     

颈前小切口鼻内镜辅助下甲状腺良性肿瘤切除术的临床体会

【摘要】 目的 采用内镜辅助下颈前小切口甲状腺良性肿瘤切除的手术经验并与传统手术比较处理经验。 方法〓回顾性分析62例肿瘤最大直径<4.0 cm的甲状腺良性肿瘤切除术,按手术方式分为内镜组(鼻内镜辅助下甲状腺切除术,n=33)和传统组(传统开放甲状腺切除术,n=29)比较两组的临床治疗效果。 结果〓2组62例患者的肿块均完整切除,切口均I期愈合。术后均无声音嘶哑、呛咳、继发血肿等并发症,无手术死亡病例。鼻内镜辅助下颈前小切口组的手术时间较传统组长,术中出血量较传统组少,且患者术后疼痛程度也较低。 结论〓与传统开放手术相比,鼻内镜辅助下颈前小切口甲状腺手术具有美容、出血少、术后疼痛小等优点,是治疗甲状腺良性肿瘤一种很好的手术选择。     

Minimally invasive video-assisted functional lateral neck dissection for metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma

Functional lateral neck dissection requires a large incision providing adequate exposure of the surgical field. We evaluated the feasibility of minimally invasive video-assisted functional lateral neck dissection (VALNED) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Low-risk PTC patients with lateral neck metastases <2 cm, in absence of any evidence of great vessels involvement, were considered eligible. After accomplishing total thyroidectomy and central neck clearance, dissection was performed under endoscopic vision by using a technique very similar to conventional surgery through the single 4-cm skin incision used for thyroidectomy. Two patients were selected: 1 underwent bilateral and 1 unilateral VALNED. The mean number of the removed nodes was 25 per side. Both patients experienced transient postoperative hypocalcemia. No other complication occurred. No evidence of residual or recurrent disease was found at follow-up. VALNED is feasible, and the results are encouraging. For definitive conclusions, larger series and comparative studies are necessary.     

Asian perspective on endoscopic thyroidectomy -- a review of 193 cases

Endoscopic surgery has become widely used, so much so that recent technical and mechanical advances have led to "endoscopic surgery" being synonymous with "minimally invasive surgery". In particular, endoscopic thyroid surgery has developed rapidly and been increasingly refined in recent years. The incidence of thyroid diseases is markedly higher in women than in men, and operations for these diseases result in a scar on the anterior neck that is exposed when open-necked clothing is worn. Therefore, a technique for endoscopic endocrine neck surgery that results in a better cosmetic appearance is desirable. We have developed a totally gasless endoscopic surgical technique using an anterior neck-skin lifting method for thyroid and parathyroid diseases. This technique is called the video-assisted neck surgery (VANS) method. Since our original report, we have treated more than 200 cases of thyroid and parathyroid disease using this technique. In cases of benign thyroid tumours, near total lobectomy was the most common procedure followed by total lobectomy. The maximum resected tumour size was 7.4 cm in diameter. For malignant tumours, the indication for the VANS method was limited to thyroid papillary microcarcinomas measuring less than 1 cm in diameter. Total lobectomy and prophylactic neck dissection were performed in all 10 of these cases. A subtotal thyroidectomy was performed for only a few cases of Graves' disease. The operating time and the amount of bleeding were statistically significantly reduced, as the surgeon gained experience with the technique. In conclusion, the VANS method is a feasible, practical and safe procedure, with excellent cosmetic benefits.     

甲状腺良性肿物腔镜下手术切除的临床研究

目的:研究颈腔镜下甲状腺良性肿物切除的可行性、实用性及微创性。方法:利用气囊在甲状腺前方制造充气区;将Trocar的切口设计于隐蔽处;术中无须游离颈前皮瓣、断颈前静脉及颈前肌等。结果:完成8例,皆为术后第2天出院。术后伤口疼痛明显减轻,疤痕水肿、隆起等明显改善,美容效果佳。结论:颈腔镜下甲状腺良性肿物切除术是具有一定优点的微创手术。     

What is the Evidence for Endoscopic Thyroidectomy in the Management of Benign Thyroid Disease?

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) is a demanding surgical technique in which dissection of the gland is entirely performed with an endoscope, in a closed area maintained by insufflation or mechanical retraction. ET by direct cervical approach (anterior or lateral) is minimally invasive, but ET using an extracervical access (chest wall, breast, or axillary) is not. No technique seems to be universally accepted yet. This review was designed to clarify the existing evidence for performing endoscopic thyroid resections in the management of benign thyroid nodules. METHODS: A database search was conducted in PubMed and Embase from which summaries and abstracts were screened for relevant data, matching our definition. Publications were further assessed and assigned their respective levels of evidence. Additional data derived from our own unit's experience with endoscopic thyroidectomy were included. RESULTS: Thirty mainly retrospective cohort studies have been published in which morbidity, such as unilateral vocal cord palsy, is poorly evaluated. ET takes from 90 to 280 minutes for lobectomy by cervical access and total thyroidectomy by chest wall approach, respectively. Cosmetic outcome in extracervical approach is less troubled by size of the resected specimen compared with direct cervical approach. Extracervical approach avoids a neck scar but implies invasiveness in terms of dissection and postoperative discomfort. Long-term cosmetic outcome comparisons with conventional thyroidectomy have not been published. CONCLUSIONS: Currently it is not possible to recommend the application of ET based on evidence. Reported complications stress the importance of advanced endoscopic skills. ET should only be offered to carefully selected patients and, therefore, a high volume of patients requiring thyroid surgery is needed. Superiority of endoscopic to conventional thyroidectomy has yet to be demonstrated. Possible advantages of endoscopic thyroid techniques and our patient's desire for the highest cosmetic outcome possible justify further development of ET in expert hands of endocrine surgeons.     

颈部无疤痕内镜甲状腺手术的价值

目的介绍应用腹腔镜作颈部无疤痕甲状腺孤立的良性肿瘤切除术.方法于乳晕上缘、胸骨旁作小切口导人腹腔镜及配套设施,建立人为操作空间进行内镜操作切除肿物.结果15例病人均达到预期疗效,且无手术并发症.结论腹腔镜作甲状腺手术具有美容、创伤小、术野清晰、安全的优点.     

“Scarless” (in the Neck) Endoscopic Thyroidectomy (SET): An Evidence-based Review of Published Techniques

BACKGROUND: Excision of the thyroid through a skin crease incision in the anterior neck provides good direct exposure to facilitate safe dissection and a quick operation with low morbidity and minimal mortality. However, these patients still have a scar in the neck. Technologic innovations have allowed surgeons to remove the thyroid gland from a remote site, providing a scarless outcome in the neck. This study was designed to assess the different techniques of scarless (in the neck) endoscopic thyroidectomy (SET) by reviewing the current literature. METHODS: A computer-assisted search of the Medline database through September 2007 was undertaken. The combination of terms used included the following: endoscopic thyroidectomy; minimally invasive thyroidectomy; minimally invasive endocrine surgery; thyroidectomy via the axillary approach; thyroidectomy via the anterior approach; and thyroidectomy via the breast approach. Additional data were provided based on previously unpublished experience from our own unit with SET. RESULTS: There were seven studies that involved 186 patients in whom the thyroid was excised via the axillary method and five published series that involved 169 patients who had thyroidectomies performed via the anterior approach. There were four published series of thyroidectomies performed via a hybrid approach, which is a combination of both the anterior and axillary approach, involving 180 patients. Four studies compared SET and another approach for a thyroidectomy. In our unpublished series of SET, we performed 20 cases during a 2-year period comprising 11 cases via the axillary approach and 9 cases via the anterior/breast approach. Nineteen cases were lobectomies and one case was an isthmusectomy. SET was associated with a longer operative time and increase postoperative pain. Patients who had SET were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Scarless (in the neck) endoscopic thyroidectomy is not a minimally invasive technique but a maximally invasive one that involves a longer operative time and greater postoperative pain. What it does provide is a safe excision of the thyroid pathology with the absence of a scar in the neck. However, there is a steep learning curve. With experience and newer surgical instruments, the operative time and postoperative pain might decrease.     

Robotic thyroid surgery using a gasless transaxillary approach: Cosmetic improvement or improved quality of surgical dissection?

In head and neck surgery, minimally invasive approaches have been typically avoided due to concerns about visualization, possible damage to vital structures, and limited availability of effective instrumentation. The incorporation of robotic technology in surgery is now an accepted fact, and because of the complexities of certain laparoscopic procedures, the extended capabilities offered by robotic technology have gained wide acceptance. We report the case of a patient who underwent a robotic total thyroidectomy using a gasless right transaxillary approach. This technique provides a high quality image leading to improved visualization of vital structures during thyroidectomy with the added advantage of avoidance of a neck incision. Several issues regarding this technique remain to be clarified and evaluated in multicenter studies: patient selection, surgeon training and learning curve, postoperative morbidity due to recurrent nerve and parathyroid injury, long term oncologic and cosmetic results. However, we believe that robotic thyroid surgery using a gasless transaxillary approach will advance the frontiers of minimally invasive endocrine surgery.     

Minimally invasive endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland: a new approach

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the benefits of a new approach, endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland through the hyoid midline level skin incision by use of an ultrasonically activated scalpel. METHODS: Twelve operations for patients presenting with submandibular gland disease were performed via minimally invasive endoscopic resection by a single surgeon (M-KC). RESULTS: All 12 submandibular gland resections were successfully performed endoscopically, and no conversions to conventional open resection were necessary. Of the 12 patients who underwent excision, 3, 6, and 3 had mixed tumor, sialoadenitis with sialolithiasis, and chronic sialoadenitis, respectively. The procedures lasted 50 to 125 minutes (median duration, 70 minutes). No complications associated with the operation occurred, and the scar was almost invisible because of its concealed location with the neck in the natural position. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland is a feasible method for treatment of benign lesions. The main advantages of this procedure are that the small operative scar is concealed in the submental skin crease, resulting in improved cosmetic results and minimization of the possibility of facial nerve injury.     

Video-assisted thyroidectomy with minimally invasive central cervicotomy: initial experience in an endocrine surgery division

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy, a recently developed technique, has been shown to be feasible and safe. Nevertheless, to obtain the best results, the surgeon should be well trained in endoscopic surgery. We attempted to answer the question whether an endocrine surgery division with no previous experience in endoscopic neck surgery could easily import the new technique. The inclusion criteria were nodules < or = 3.5 cm diameter or thyroid lobe volume less than 15 ml, and no thyroiditis or previous neck surgery. Suspect malignant nodules were excluded. The procedure was carried out through a 20 to 30 mm central neck incision, with external retraction and no neck insufflation. The vessels were ligated or closed by means of clips. From March 2004 to March 2005, 127 thyroidectomies were performed, of which 36 were thyroid lobectomies. Of these, 12 lobectomies by minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy were performed for monolateral goiter (4 left, 8 right). There were no intraoperative complications. No recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy or permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred. The mean operative time was 74.4 min (median: 70; range: 45-115). The results, in terms of patient comfort, reduced postoperative pain and cosmetic quality were excellent. The technique allowed careful assessment of the inferior and superior laryngeal nerve. Thorough haemostasis was aided by the magnification of the image and optimal illumination. The learning curve appeared short, owing probably to previous experience in conventional endocrine surgery and the closer similarities of minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy to enhanced-view conventional surgery than to laparoscopic surgery. In our experience the clinical impact was limited as a result of the small percentage of patients fulfilling the strict inclusion criteria.     

Incision length for standard thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy: when is it minimally invasive?

HYPOTHESIS: Current techniques for open conventional thyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy have evolved to enable a shorter incision (main proposition), and the length of the incision is influenced by objective factors. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: University referral center.Patients and INTERVENTION: Retrospective study of the most recent 200 primary consecutive routine thyroid and parathyroid operations (excluding neck dissections). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The length of incision was routinely measured with a ruler before the incision. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to distinguish variables affecting length of incision. RESULTS: Mean length of the incision was 5.5 cm for total thyroidectomy, 4.6 cm for lobectomy, and 3.5 cm for parathyroidectomy (P<.001). It was 4.1 cm for bilateral parathyroid exploration, but was reduced to 3.2 and 2.8 cm for unilateral (P<.001) and focal (P<.001) explorations, respectively. By multiple regression analysis, thyroid specimen volume and patient body mass index were independent predictors of incision length in thyroidectomy. Extent of exploration and resident training level were independent predictors of incision length in parathyroidectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Current techniques for open conventional thyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy have evolved to enable a shorter incision. Thyroid volume, patient body mass index, extent of the planned parathyroid exploration, and the resident clinical training stage are important variables for incision length in open operation and should be taken into account when minimally invasive thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy are evaluated.     

超声刀FOCUS在开放甲状腺手术中的应用

目的比较超声刀FOCUS与传统手术方法在开放甲状腺手术中应用的特点。方法收集我科自2010年7月至2011年12月接受开放甲状腺手术的患者共计126例,随机分为两组,超声刀组66例,使用超声刀FOCUS进行手术;传统手术组60例,采用高频电刀结合缝扎止血。两组均由同一手术组医生进行手术。分别比较两组的手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、切口大小、住院时间和手术并发症发生率(喉返神经损伤、喉上神经损伤、甲状旁腺功能低下)。结果超声刀组在手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、切口大小、住院时间方面均短于或少于传统手术组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组中均有1例甲状旁腺损伤,而喉上神经损伤、喉返神经损伤各1例仅见于传统手术组。两组间的手术并发症发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论使用超声刀行开放甲状腺手术要优于传统手术方法,可尽量兼顾美容的优点,符合现代微创外科理念,值得应用和推广。     

Minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy: lesson learned from 137 cases

Background: Since February 1997, a technique of minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy (MIVAP) was developed at our institution for the treatment of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (sPHPT). In this study we analyzed the entire series of patients who underwent MIVAP during the last 3 years.

Study Design: One hundred thirty-seven patients with sPHPT were selected for MIVAP. Selection criteria were: diagnosis of single adenoma based on preoperative localization studies (ultrasonography, sestamibi scintigraphy, or both), and no previous neck surgery or concomitant large multinodular goiter. The procedure, already described, is performed by a gasless video-assisted technique through a single 1.5-cm central skin incision above the sternal notch. Quick, intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay was used in 134 cases (97.8%) to confirm the complete removal of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue.

Results: Mean operative time was 54.3 ± 22.6 minutes. The conversion rate was 8.8%. One laryngeal nerve palsy was registered (0.7%), as was one case of persistent hyperparathyroidism. In six patients (4.4%) a transient symptomatic postoperative hypocalcemia was observed. Two thyroid lobectomies were associated using the same minimally invasive access. At a mean followup of 15.4 ± 10.6 months, all but two patients were normocalcemic. The cosmetic result was considered excellent by most of the patients (92.8%).

Conclusions: Although not all patients with sPHPT are eligible for MIVAP, this approach can now be proposed in a bigger proportion (67% of patients). As already demonstrated in a previous study, also in a large series of patients, after greater experience has been achieved, the results and the operative time are the same as in traditional surgery, with better cosmetic result and a less painful course.