Endoscopic thyroidectomy for solitary nodules

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 1998 and February 2000, 18 patients with a solitary thyroid nodule underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy in a single institution. Analgesic requirement, return to normal activity, and cosmetic results were compared to 18 consecutive patients who had conventional thyroidectomy. RESULTS: Sixteen females and two males, with a mean age of 43 years (17-66 years) were operated on. Indications for surgery included indeterminate cytology (n = 8), follicular neoplasm (n = 8), Hürthle cell neoplasm (n = 1), and toxic thyroid nodule (n = 1). The mean nodule diameter was 2.7 cm (0.6-7 cm). Sixteen of 18 cases were successfully completed endoscopically with a mean operating time of 220 min (120-330 min). There were no major complication, but three patients developed mild hypercarbia and one patient had an incidental parathyroidectomy. When compared to conventional thyroidectomy, patients undergoing endoscopic thyroidectomy had a significantly superior cosmetic result (P < 0.005) and a quicker return to normal activity (P < 0.05), but there was no difference in analgesic requirement. CONCLUSION: The results of this study seem to confirm that endoscopic thyroidectomy is a technically feasible and safe procedure that leads to an improved cosmetic result and a quicker recovery. However, conventional thyroidectomy is still recommended when thyroid carcinoma is suspected.