Rolle der totalen Thyreoidektomie im primären Therapiekonzept der benignen Knotenstruma

INTRODUCTION: After subtotal resection of multinodular goiter, rates of up to 40% are reported for recurrent goiter in the long-term follow-up. Because of the increased morbidity of surgery for recurrent goiter, this study evaluated the preconditions that would justify total thyroidectomy as part of the primary therapy concept for benign multinodular goiter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Quality Assurance Study of Benign and Malignant Goiter covering the period from 1 January to 31 December 1998 assessed 5195 patients treated for benign goiter by primary bilateral resection. With respect to the extent of resection three groups were analyzed: bilateral subtotal resection (ST+ST, n=4580), subtotal resection with contralateral lobectomy (ST+HT, n=527), and total thyroidectomy (TT, n=88). RESULTS: The age of the patients was significantly higher (60.3 years) in the TT group than in the ST+ST (52.5 years) and ST+HT (55.6 years) groups. ASA classification grades III and IV were significantly more frequent in the TT group. The postoperative morbidity increased with the extent of resection. The rate of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy was 0.8% for ST+ST, 1.4% for ST+HT, and 2.3% for TT and of permanent hypoparathyroidism 1.5% for ST+ST, 2.8% for ST+HT, and 12.5% for TT. Multivariate analysis showed that the extent of resection significantly increased the risk of RLN palsy (transient RR 0.5, permanent RR 0.4) and hypoparathyroidism (transient RR 0.2,permanent RR 0.08). The surgeon's experience (RR 0.6) and identification of the RLN (RR 0.5) reduced the risk of permanent RLN palsy. Additionally, the development of permanent hypoparathyroidism was reduced if at least two parathyroid glands (RR 0.4) were identified. CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy is associated with an increased rate of RLN palsies and hypoparathyroidism in comparison to less extensive thyroid surgery. In the hands of well-trained surgeons using an appropriate intraoperative technique, primary thyroidectomy is justified if the patient has an increased risk of recurrent goiter. Due to the increased postoperative morbidity after total thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroid resection based on the morphologic changes in the thyroid gland is still recommended as the standard treatment regimen for multinodular goiter.     

手术治疗单侧喉返神经麻痹的甲状腺肿瘤

目的分析术前单侧喉返神经麻痹的甲状腺肿瘤患者的临床、病理特点,探讨合理处理受侵喉返神经的方法。方法回顾分析2004年5月～2008年12月收治的2174例甲状腺肿瘤患者的临床资料,其中19例术前诊断单侧喉返神经麻痹,包括结节性甲状腺肿2例,甲状腺恶性肿瘤17例。13例行根治性切除手术,包括双侧甲状腺切除＋颈淋巴结清除术12例,双侧甲状腺切除＋全喉切除术1例,其中6例保留喉返神经,1例切除受侵段神经后予以吻合,另6例切除病变神经;4例行姑息性切除,患侧喉返神经均切除;2例结节性甲状腺肿患者行双侧甲状腺全切除术,喉返神经保护。结果19例患者均无围手术期死亡病例。淋巴结转移者10例。19例均获随访,时间平均64（37～91）月。2例结节性甲状腺肿和6例甲状腺癌术中保留喉返神经者,术后声音改善明显,另1例健侧代偿。6例切除神经者和4例姑息性手术切除喉返神经者术后声音无改善。结论术中探明喉返神经受肿瘤侵犯程度,尽可能保留神经,可以改善患者生活质量,取得较满意治疗效果。     

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??Application and assessment of total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid nodules ZHANG Hao. Department of General Surgery??the First Hospital of China Medical University??Shenyang 110001??China
Abstract Thyroid nodule is a common disease in clinical practice. Although the majority of thyroid nodules have been found to be benign. Some of them need to be surgically excised when meeting the indications. The thyroid operations include lobectomy??subtotal thyroidectomy and total/near total thyroidectomy??etc. The preferred operation for benign thyroid nodules remains controversial. Less extensive resection may be related to a higher risk of recurrence. While more extensive resection may be associated with a higher risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or hypoparathyroidism. Total thyroidectomy has been used to treat benign thyroid nodules for a long history. It is an operation that can be safely performed nowadays??with low incidence of permanent complications. It has been the optimal surgery that can prevent recurrence and avoid reoperation in cases of benign thyroid nodules such as multiple nodular goiter in foreign countries since a long time ago. It is also suggested to perform the operation in case of bilateral benign thyroid nodules with surgical indications given the different technical levels of surgeons and different situation of individual patient in China.     

Incidence and risk factors for injuries to the recurrent laryngeal nerve during neck surgery in the moderate-volume setting

Purpose

Total lobectomy is currently recommended also in benign thyroid disease in order to reduce the risk of goitre recurrence, an approach claimed not to increase post-operative morbidity. The aim of the study was to analyse risk factors for recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy during neck surgery, with particular interest in complications after total lobectomy and subtotal resection, respectively.

Methods

All consecutive patients operated for thyroid and parathyroid diseases at one institution between 1984 and 2011 were prospectively recorded, and 1,322 patients were included. Patients with permanent post-operative RLN palsy were re-examined in 2011.

Results

The risk of permanent RLN palsy after parathyroid surgery was 0.3 %. Patients operated for thyroid cancer had a 5.9 % risk of permanent nerve injury, higher than that of patients with benign thyroid disease (1.4 %; P?=?0.029). Independent risk factors for RLN paralysis after benign thyroid surgery were intrathoracic goitre (odds ratio (OR), 3.57; 95 % confidence interval, 1.70–7.48), ipsilateral redo-surgery (OR, 3.64; 1.00–13.28) and total lobectomy (OR, 2.41; 1.05–5.55). At long-time follow-up (median, 10 years), 7 of 12 patients with permanent RLN palsy still suffered moderate or severe symptoms.

Conclusions

RLN paralysis is an infrequent complication after neck surgery, but with major negative impact on patients’ well-being when permanent. Hemithyroidectomy/total thyroidectomy is increasingly preferred over subtotal resection in multinodular goitre. This is supported by an increased risk of RLN injury during redo-surgery for recurrency but should be carefully weighed against individual risk factors for nerve palsy, including surgical experience and volume.     

Reoperative surgery for thyroid disease

Background and aims Reoperative surgery for thyroid disease is rare. However, it is sometimes indicated for nodular recurrence after partial surgery for initially benign thyroid disease or for a completion total thyroidectomy when a final diagnosis of well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) is confirmed on a permanent section of a partially removed thyroid gland. This surgery can expose the patient to postoperative complications such as recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy or hypoparathyroidism. The aims of our study were to describe the population subjected to reoperative thyroid surgery and to evaluate postoperative morbidity to find the risk factor. Patients and methods The present study is a retrospective analysis of our experience with completion thyroidectomy: 685 consecutive patients underwent this procedure in a 14-year period, for a recurrent uninodular (85 patients) or multinodular (333 patients) goiter, recurrent thyrotoxicosis (42 patients), or a completion thyroidectomy for WDTC after partial resection of the thyroid gland (225 patients). The operative technique was standardized with identification of the RLN and parathyroid glands before removal of the thyroid gland. l-Thyroxin treatment was started the day after surgery. Postoperative rates of suffocating hematoma, wound infection, RLN palsy, hypoparathyroidism, and persistence or recurrence of hyperthyroidism were studied and compared to the same parameters in patients who underwent primary bilateral thyroid gland resection during the same period. Results The transient morbidity rate was 8%, with 5% hypoparathyroidism, 1.2% RLN palsy, 0.9% suffocating hematoma, and 0.2% wound infection. These results were higher than those from cases of primary thyroid resection for bilateral disease. Within the secondary surgery group, postoperative complications depended on the mean weight of the resected thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism, and the bilaterality of thyroid exploration during the previous surgery. The permanent morbidity rate was 3.8%, including 1.5% RLN palsy and 2.5% hypoparathyroidism. Permanent complication rates were higher than those for primary thyroid resection. Incidental carcinoma was found in 92 patients (13%): 10% (42 of 418) in patients with recurrent euthyroid nodular disease, 7% (3 of 42) in patients with recurrent hyperthyroidism, and 21% (47 of 225) in patients who underwent a completion thyroidectomy for cancer. Conclusion Because reoperative thyroid surgery can lead to potential complications, especially permanent RLN palsy or hypoparathyroidism, it should be reserved for patients who need it. The importance of respecting specific technical rules should be emphasized.     

双侧甲状腺癌外科诊治体会

目的 探讨双侧甲状腺癌的诊断与外科治疗经验.方法 回顾分析72例双侧甲状腺癌外科治疗临床资料.结果 术后石蜡切片均证实为双侧甲状腺癌,其中双侧微小癌17例,一侧微小癌、一侧非微小癌41例,双侧均非微小癌14例.双侧乳头状癌67例(93.1%),双侧滤泡性癌2例(2.8%),双侧髓样癌2例(2.8%),双侧低分化癌1例(1.4%).62例行双侧甲状腺全切除术,2例行双侧甲状腺近全切除术,8例行一侧全切加对侧次全切除术,常规行双侧中央组淋巴结清扫.加行一侧改良颈淋巴结清扫术19例.中央组淋巴结转移率33.33%(24/72).即使双侧甲状腺微小癌灶中央区淋巴结转移率亦有17.65%(3/17).肿块大小与中央区淋巴转移率有一定相关性,但无统计学意义(P＞0.05).70例随访3个月至8年,中位随访时间5年6个月,67例无瘤生存,另外3例出现颁部淋巴结转移.术后无.例出现永久性甲状旁腺机能减退和喉返神经麻痹.结论 双侧甲状腺癌主张行双侧甲状腺腺叶全切除;应重视中央组淋巴结清扫.     

喉返神经隧道解剖法结合神经监测在腔镜甲状腺手术中的应用

目的:探讨喉返神经隧道解剖法结合神经监测在腔镜甲状腺手术中的应用价值。方法:回顾分析2014年11月至2018年12月施行的141例腔镜甲状腺手术,术中均采用喉返神经隧道解剖法结合神经监测技术。其中甲状腺良性结节93例,甲状腺恶性肿瘤48例;行单侧腺叶切除术52例,单侧甲状腺癌根治术44例,双侧甲状腺癌根治术4例,41例部分切除术。结果:140例手术顺利完成,1例因喉返神经横断伤转开放手术行神经对端吻合;术后9例(9/141,6.38%)暂时性神经麻痹,无永久性声音嘶哑患者。结论:腔镜甲状腺手术中采用喉返神经隧道解剖法结合神经监测技术可快速定位喉返神经,降低手术难度,提高手术安全性,利于腔镜甲状腺手术更好地在基层医院推广普及。     

Endoscopic transaxillary near total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Since first reported in 1996, endoscopic minimally invasive surgery of the cervical region has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of benign thyroid and parathyroid disease. The endoscopic transaxillary technique uses a remote lateral approach to the thyroid gland. Because of the perceived difficulty in accessing the contralateral anatomy of the thyroid gland, this technique has typically been reserved for patients with unilateral disease. OBJECTIVES: The present study examines the safety and feasibility of the transaxillary technique in dissecting and assessment of both thyroid lobes in performing near total thyroidectomy. METHODS: Prior to this study we successfully performed endoscopic transaxillary thyroid lobectomy in 32 patients between August 2003 and August 2005. Technical feasibility in performing total thyroidectomy using this approach was accomplished first utilizing a porcine model followed by three human cadaver models prior to proceeding to human surgery. After IRB approval three female patients with histories of enlarging multinodular goiter were selected to undergo endoscopic near total thyroidectomy. RESULTS: The average operative time for all models was 142 minutes (range 57-327 min). The three patients in this study had clinically enlarging multinodular goiters with an average size of 4 cm. The contralateral recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands were identified in all cases. There was no post-operative bleeding, hoarseness or subcutaneous emphysema. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic transaxillary near total thyroidectomy is feasible and can be performed safely in human patients with bilateral thyroid disease.     

甲状腺两种切除术式喉返神经损伤的比较

目的对比精确甲状腺腺叶切除术与甲状腺次全切除术喉返神经损伤发生率,探讨精确甲状腺腺叶切除术的安全性。方法回顾性分析2010年1月—2011年6月所行249例438侧精确甲状腺腺叶切除术和甲状腺次全切除术的临床资料。结果全组共出现6例单侧喉返神经一过性损伤,精确甲状腺腺叶切除术与甲状腺次全切除术喉返神经伤发生率分别为1.38%(3/216侧)和1.35%(3/222侧),两者比较无统计学意义(P>0.05)。无双侧喉返神经损伤和永久性喉返神经损伤。结论技术改进后的精确甲状腺腺叶切除术,与甲状腺次全切除术相比,在避免喉返神经损伤方面,具有同等的安全性。     

Intraoperative neuromonitoring for thyroid malignancy surgery: technical notes and results from a retrospective series

This study evaluates the role of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) for thyroidectomy performed in cancer patients with emphasis on postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP). The study is a retrospective series comprising 76 thyroidectomy alone (control group) versus 76 thyroidectomy with IONM. In the control group the laryngeal nerves have been identified by visualization solely. In the IONM group both vagal nerve and RLN have been localized and monitored during thyroid resection. The main surgical outcome was RLN morbidity. All patients undergo pre- and postoperative laryngeal examination. Overall RLN morbidity was 3.9% in the IONM group and 9.2% in the control group (P < 0.05). There have been two cases of permanent RLNP (2.6%) in the control group and one in the IONM group (1.3%), one case of bilateral RLN injury in the control group. The incidences of temporary RLNP in the IONM group have been 2.6 versus 6.5% in the control group. IONM is an effective procedure in thyroid cancer patients.     

经乳晕入路行腔镜甲状腺切除术的应用价值

目的:探讨行腔镜乳晕入路手术治疗甲状腺疾病的价值。方法:2008年11月至2009年12月为15例患者行经双侧乳晕三孔法腔镜甲状腺手术,通过分离胸前皮下和颈阔肌深面,注入CO2(压力6～8mmHg),建立操作空间。用超声刀切割、分离甲状腺组织和血管;术中保护喉返神经、喉上神经及甲状旁腺。结果:15例手术均获成功,其中甲状腺囊肿切除术1例,甲状腺腺瘤切除术5例,单侧甲状腺部分切除术3例,双侧甲状腺部分切除术3例,甲状腺次全切除术3例。手术时间(110.0±31.3)min,术中出血(70±20.5)ml,术后1例颈部皮肤灼伤,1例胸部少量皮下积液,无中转开放手术。结论:经乳晕径路行腔镜甲状腺手术具有极佳的美容效果,值得临床推广应用。     

Does Completion Thyroidectomy Improve the Outcome of Patients with Minimally Invasive Follicular Carcinoma of the Thyroid?

Background

The diagnosis of minimally invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma (MIFTC) is often made histologically after thyroid lobectomy. We attempted to determine whether completion thyroidectomy should be considered necessary for all patients diagnosed with MIFTC after thyroid lobectomy.

Methods

The subjects of this study were a total of 324 patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy as initial surgery at our institution between 1989 and 2010 and diagnosed histologically as MIFTC. Completion thyroidectomy was performed on 101 patients, and the other 223 patients were followed up without further treatments. Cumulative cause-specific survival (CSS) rates and distant-metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Differences between groups were analyzed for statistical significance by the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed by using the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

During the follow-up period, 39 patients were diagnosed with distant metastasis, and 7 patients died of their disease. Age at the initial surgery was found to be a significant factor related to DMFS in both the univariate and multivariate analysis and to also be related to CSS in the univariate analysis. Completion thyroidectomy did not have a significant effect on DMFS or CSS according to the results of the univariate analysis, but it had significant effect on DMFS according to the results of the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Although we were unable to demonstrate sufficient statistical evidence that completion thyroidectomy improved the outcome of MIFTC patients, it is noteworthy none of the patient who underwent completion thyroidectomy died of the disease.     

腔镜甲状腺切除术中喉返神经的显露

目的探讨腔镜甲状腺切除术中喉返神经的显露技巧,避免因显露而造成的喉返神经医源性损伤。方法2011年4月～2012年4月,行胸乳晕人路腔镜下甲状腺切除术17例。于乳腺前皮下置入troear,注入CO2（压力6mmHg）建立操作空间,用超声刀显露喉返神经。结果17例均顺利完成喉返神经显露,其中7例行腔镜双侧甲状腺腺叶手术（6例双侧叶结节和1例甲状腺癌）,5例行一侧甲状腺叶切除术（一侧腺叶多发结节）,5例行一侧腺叶次全切除术。喉返神经主干位于甲状腺下动脉之前、之后和动脉分叉之间的比例分别为17．6％（3／17）、47．1％（8／17）和35．3％（6／17）,术后未见声音嘶哑等发生。结论尽管甲状腺下动脉与喉返神经的关系不固定,应用甲状腺囊外解剖和上翻技术,在切除腺体的同时可以显露喉返神经,减少喉返神经损伤。     

经胸乳径路腔镜甲状腺切除术350例体会

目的探讨经胸乳径路腔镜甲状腺切除术的方法及其可行性。方法 2008年3月至2011年5月行经胸乳径路腔镜甲状腺切除术350例,回顾性分析350例患者的临床资料。其中甲状腺瘤142例,结节性甲状腺肿180例,原发性甲状腺机能亢进23例,甲状腺乳头状微小癌5例。行甲状腺瘤摘除术16例,单侧甲状腺次全切除130例,双侧甲状腺次全切除134例,单侧甲状腺腺叶切除42例,甲状腺全切除28例。结果手术过程顺利,平均手术时间（72.0±30.4）min,平均术中出血量（45.0±15.8）ml,无中转开放手术,无声嘶或甲状旁腺损伤等并发症发生,平均住院时间（7.0±4.5）d,术后随访3～30个月,无复发病例。结论经胸乳径路腔镜甲状腺切除术是安全可行的,且具有良好的美容效果。     

经胸壁入路腔镜甲状腺切除术70例临床分析

目的:探讨经胸壁入路腔镜甲状腺切除术的优缺点。方法:2007年2月至2009年12月采用经胸壁三孔入路法行腔镜甲状腺切除术70例。其中甲状腺腺瘤18例,结节性甲状腺肿50例,甲状腺癌2例。结果:69例顺利完成腔镜手术,1例因术中出血中转开放。手术时间62～110min,平均80min,甲状腺肿瘤直径1.5～7.5cm,平均4.1cm。行甲状腺肿瘤切除术10例,单侧甲状腺次全切除术24例,单侧甲状腺腺叶切除术12例,双侧甲状腺部分切除术22例,甲状腺癌根治术2例。术后2～3d拔除引流管,术后住院2～5d,平均4d。2例术后声音嘶哑,均于6个月内恢复,3例术后一过性低钙,自行恢复,2例术后局部积液,经2～3次穿刺抽液后好转。术后随访2～35个月,未发现复发病例。结论:腔镜甲状腺手术安全可行,美容效果佳,其中经胸壁三孔入路法操作简便,是较理想的术式。     

Extensive thyroidectomy in Graves' disease

BACKGROUND: The best surgical treatment for hyperthyroidism caused by Graves' disease remains a controversial subject. METHODS: Seven hundred fourteen consecutive patients underwent total or near-total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease in a 13-year period. In a first analysis, postoperative rates of suffocating hematoma, wound infection, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy, hypoparathyroidism, and persistence or recurrence of hyperthyroidism, were studied and compared with the same parameters in 4,426 patients who underwent bilateral thyroid gland resection for other conditions. A second analysis identified factors associated with postoperative complications among Graves' disease patients. RESULTS: Comparing Graves' disease patients with patients who had bilateral thyroid resection for other conditions, the transient morbidity rate was 13.3% versus 8.2% (p < 0.0001), with 10.2% versus 5.0% (p < 0.0001) hypoparathyroidism, 2.2% versus 1.7% (p = 0.35) RLN palsy, 1.7% versus 0.9% (p < 0.05) suffocating hematoma, and 0.3% versus 0.4% (p = 0.67) wound infection, respectively. Permanent morbidity rate was 2% versus 2.2% (p = 0.72), including 0.4% versus 0.6% RLN palsy and 1.5% versus 1.7% hypoparathyroidism. Among the Graves' disease patients, univariate analysis revealed that those who experienced postoperative complications had a higher weight resected thyroid gland (odds ratio = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.3) and a higher rate of total thyroidectomy (24.4% versus 19.5%, odds ratio = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4-3.4) than patients without complications. In the multivariable model, these two factors remained independent. There was no recurrence of hyperthyroidism with a median followup of 6.7 years (interquartile range 4.1 to 10.1 years). Persistent hyperthyroidism developed in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Total or near-total thyroidectomy is an effective and safe treatment for Graves' disease when performed by an experienced surgeon.     

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for Surgical Training in Thyroid Surgery: Its Routine Use Allows a Safe Operation Instead of Lack of Experienced Mentoring

Background

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of intraoperative neuromonitoring (NM) on surgical training. The results of thyroidectomy performed by inexperienced surgeons under the supervision of a consultant surgeon without intraoperative neuromonitoring (ioNM) were compared to those of the operations performed without experienced assistance but under neuromonitoring control.

Materials and methods

The study included the thyroid operations performed in our Department between 2005 and 2012. Among them, residents or fellows performed 1,116 procedures. Seven hundred sixty-five operations were conducted without neuromonitoring (NV group) and 351 with NM group. In the NV group 375 unilateral and 390 bilateral operations were performed. In the NM group 149 unilateral and 202 bilateral operations were performed. Primary end point of the study was the incidence of postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. A secondary end point was the impact of ioNM on operating time and operative strategy.

Results

The incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy was 2.6 % in the NV group and 2.7 % in the NM group [p = ns]. One case of bilateral RLN palsy was observed in the NV group. The operative time was longer in the NM group for both lobectomy and total thyroidectomy (50 vs. 56 min and 76 vs. 81 min, respectively; p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The routine use of intermittent intraoperative neuromonitoring during thyroid operations does not reduce the incidence of RLN palsy. Nevertheless, it allows inexperienced surgeons to perform a safe operation with a complication rate comparable to that obtained under supervision of an experienced surgeon. Moreover, ioNM could avoid the unfortunate occurrence of a bilateral RLN palsy.     

全甲状腺切除在甲状腺良性结节治疗中应用及评价

甲状腺结节临床常见,尽管大部分为良性,但有手术指征时应行手术治疗,手术方式主要包括腺叶切除、甲状腺次全切除和全（近全）甲状腺切除等。甲状腺良性结节的手术方式目前尚存争议,若切除范围过小,结节复发风险增加,可能须再次手术;切除范围过大,则可能增加喉返神经损伤及甲状旁腺功能减退等并发症发生风险。全甲状腺切除因其能彻底切除病变,降低复发风险,避免再次手术,且并发症无明显增加,已成为国外治疗结节性甲状腺肿等良性甲状腺结节的首选术式。在我国,应综合考虑医生的技术水平、病人的个体情况及意愿等因素,可以考虑对具有手术指征的双叶甲状腺良性结节采用全甲状腺切除术。     

Minimal access thyroid surgery: Is it feasible,is it appropriate?

Background: Reports of minimal access thyroid surgery (MATS) using various techniques have recently appeared. This study examined the feasibility of MATS using either a lateral ‘focused’ or endoscopically assisted approach. Methods: The study group comprised all patients undergoing minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) during the period May 1998 to April 2002 in whom a concomitant thyroid procedure was undertaken. All procedures were performed either through a 2‐cm lateral cervical incision (n = 19) or endoscopically (n = 7). Results: Twenty‐six patients underwent thyroid surgery, consisting of either local excision of a thyroid nodule (n = 25) or hemi­thyroidectomy (n = 1). In 13 patients the nodule was incidentally discovered, in four patients removal of the parathyroid necessitated partial thyroidectomy, and in nine patients the lesion identified by preoperative parathyroid localization proved to be a thyroid nodule. There were no permanent complications in the study group. Two patients required drainage of a haematoma. The final pathology of all 26 cases revealed benign nodular thyroid disease. Conclusion: Thyroid surgery can safely be performed as a minimally invasive procedure. Minimal access thyroid surgery is therefore a feasible option for selected patients. The question remains to be answered as to whether this surgical approach is appropriate treatment for nodular thyroid disease.     

Symptomatic benign multinodular goiter: unilateral or bilateral thyroidectomy?

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic benign multinodular goiter (MNG) is extremely common in the north central United States. The extent of surgery for unilateral or bilateral disease is controversial. Bilateral resection should be associated with low recurrence rates, but potentially a higher technical morbidity. The long-term outcomes of patients with obvious unilateral MNG who had unilateral resection only is not commonly reported. To determine the optimal operation for patients with symptomatic MNG, we reviewed our single institutional results. METHODS: From May 1994 through November 2004, 883 patients underwent a thyroid operation at our institution. Of these, 237 (27%) underwent thyroidectomy for MNG. One hundred forty patients underwent unilateral lobectomy and 97 underwent total thyroidectomy. RESULTS: The mean age was 51 +/- 1 years and 196 (83%) were female. With up to 145 months' follow-up, there was a higher recurrence rate in the lobectomy group (11% vs 3%; P = .029). However, patients in the lobectomy group had a much lower complication rate (2% vs 9%; P = .007). Importantly, in patients who underwent reoperation for recurrent MNG after lobectomy, the complication rate was low (5.5%) and not significantly higher than the initial surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symptomatic MNG, 89% of those who underwent unilateral resection did not require further surgery. Unilateral thyroidectomy was associated with lower morbidity than bilateral resection. Furthermore, those patients who required operation for contralateral recurrence did not experience a significantly higher operative morbidity. Therefore, these data convincingly support recommending unilateral thyroid lobectomy as the procedure of choice for patients with symptomatic unilateral MNG.