Endoscopic therapy of nodular goiter (A report of 80 cases)

[Objective] To discuss the feasibility and effect of endoscopic thyroidectomy to treat benign disease of thyroid.[Methods] Endoscopic thyroidectomy via anterior chest wall approach was performed in 80 patients of nodular goiter with diameter between 10 mm and 45 mm.[Results] All operations were successfully carried out.The mean operative time was 150 min(range,120～210 min),and the mean blood loss was 30 mL(range,20～70 mL).Subtotal thyroidectomy of single lobe was 57 cases;subtotal thyroidectomy of single lobe and partial thyroidectomy of another lobe was 23 cases.Remove drainage tube between 2 days or 3 days after operation.Mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.4 days.There were no complications such as damage to nerve,blood vessel and parathyroid glands,and no scars in neck.[Conclusion] Endoscopic thyroidectomy is a safe and effective method,and the obvious cosmetic effect of this method is guaranteed.This method is the ideal operative style of benign disease of thyroid.