Endoscopic Thyroidectomy via Anterior Chest Wall Approach (with A Rep ort of 20 Cases)

Objective To study the clinical applications a nd indications of endoscopic thyroidectomy via anterior chest wall approach. Method Endoscopic thyroidectomy via anterior chest wall approach was performed in 20 patients. Results Oper ations were successfully performed in 20 cases including 4 cases of adenoma rese ction, 10 cases of subtotal lobectomy, 5 cases of bilateral subtotal lobectomy, and 1 case of early papillary carcinoma who underwent total tumor-bearing lobec tomy, isthmus resection and the contra-lateral subtotal lobectomy. There was no operative complication, nor incision scar in neck resulting in cosmetic effect with 1year follow-up. The mean operation time was 124(50～240) minutes. The average hospital stay was 4(3～6)days. Conclusion Endoscopic thyroidectomy via the anterior chest wall approach is safe, effecti ve and feasible for benign thyroid lesions, which can also be taken into conside ration of the surgical treatment for early stage thyroid papillary carcinoma and grade Ⅱ Grave's disease.