Endoscopic Thyroidectomy via Axillary Approach

Choi, Jong Ouck; Jun, Byung Sun; Sohn, Hang Soo; Jung, Myung Ho

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A hypertrophic scar of the anterior neck is the leading complaint of patients who underwent conventional thyroid surgery. In order to minimize the postoperative scars, endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach was tried.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Thirty-nine cases (female 37, male two, average age 36.3 yrs) with either benign unilateral thyroid nodule or cyst underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy. Under general anesthesia, less than 7 cm of skin incision was made in the axilla of the same side and subcutaneous tunnel was made over the clavicle. Specially created retractor was placed within the tunnel between platysma and sternocleodomastoid muscle, and under rigid endoscope (4 mm, 5 mm ; 0degrees, 30degrees) thyroidectomy was performed.
RESULTS
There were 35 cases of thyroid nodulectomy, one case of isthmusectomy, and three cases of subtotal lobectomy. Complete enucleations with the intact capsule were 13 cases, 24 cases with partial rupture of the capsule, and two cases with incomplete removal of the capsule. The mean operative time was 112.5 minutes. Postoperative complications included one case of postoperative bleeding, two cases of delayed wound healing, three cases of paresthesia of shoulder and arm, and five cases of hypertrophic scar of the axilla. For all cases, hospitalization period was two days.
CONCLUSION
Endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach has an excellent cosmetic advantage; however, the procedure requires longer operation time of about three times the conventional method. Operation time can be reduced with the development of more versatile surgical tools. However, limited thyroidectomy surgery can not be avoided.