Treatment of endoscopic thyroidectomy in nodular goiter

Objective To evaluate the method and feasibility of endoscopic thyroidectomy in nodular goiter. Methods Endoscopic thyroidectomy was performed by an anterior chest approach in 32 cases from October 2003 to October 2007. Among these cases five were male,twenty-seven were female. The ages ranged from 21-48 (mean,37). Routine examination T3,T4,TSH was performed to exclude hyperparathyroidism before operation. Cystic hyperplasia or consolidation was detected by color ultrasongraphy or CT scan. No enlargement was detected of the neck lymphatic node. Result All cases succeeded underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy,and 17 cases had subtotalectomy by endoscopic. Subtotalectomy was performed on one side of the neck,and partial thyroidectomy of 15 cases was performed on the other side of the neck. The operation time was 60-180 minutes,and the intraoperative blood loss was 15-80 mL (mean,40 mL). No conversion or damage of recurrent laryngeal or parathyroid glands was found. The length of postoperative hospital stay was 3-7 days. The pathologic diagnosis was nodular goiter. All cases took L2T4 after operation. Followed-up 32 cases for 1-48 months showed good cosmetic outcomes. Re-examinations with color ultrasonography revealed no recurrence. Conclusions Endoscopic thyroidectomy to treat nodular goiter is a safe and feasible procedure. The effect of therapy is satisfaction. As compared with conventional operation,it shows better cosmetic outcomes.