Endoscope-Assisted Transoral Thyroidectomy Using a Frenotomy Incision

OBJECTIVE: Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES(®); American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy [Oak Brook, IL] and Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons [Los Angeles, CA]) has generated excitement among surgeons as potentially scar-free surgery. We developed this technique while taking into consideration that it could also be applied to transoral thyroid surgery. PATIENT AND METHODS: We report the case of a 35-year-old woman with a 0.5×0.5-cm papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. We implemented a modified approach for the removal of the thyroid by using a frenotomy incision of the mouth, accompanied by an endoscope system. RESULTS: A modified approach for the removal of the thyroid was used on the patient. The total operating time was 120 minutes, and there were no specific complications. The patient continues to be free of any diseases 12 months after the excision. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroidectomy can be performed by a transoral endoscope-assisted approach through a frenotomy incision of the mouth. We describe the detailed procedures for an endoscope-assisted transoral thyroidectomy using a frenotomy incision.