| Affiliation: | (1) Department of Surgical Sciences and Applied Medical Technologies "Francesco Durante", University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy;(2) Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, Chair of Endocrinology, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy;(3) Department of Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy |
| Abstract: | Background The targets of minimally invasive surgery (MIVA) could be summarised by: achievement of the same results as those obtained with traditional surgery, less trauma, better post-operative course, early discharge from hospital and improved cosmetic results. The minimally invasive techniques in thyroid surgery can be described as either endoscopic "pure" approach (completely closed approach with or without CO2 insufflation), or "open approach" with central neck mini-incision or "open video-assisted approach". Traditionally, open thyroidectomy requires a 6 to 8 cm, or bigger, transverse wound on the lower neck. The minimally invasive approach wound is much shorter (1.5 cm for small nodules, up to 2–3 cm for the largest ones, in respect of the exclusion criteria) upon the suprasternal notch. |
