Evaluation of surgical completeness in endoscopic thyroidectomy compared with open thyroidectomy with regard to remnant ablation.

PURPOSE: To assure the surgical completeness of the bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET), we compared ET and open thyroidectomy (OT) by means of the radioactive iodine (RAI) uptake of remnant thyroid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2003 to May 2007, 46 patients who had received RAI ablation after total thyroidectomy because of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma were enrolled. Of total, 25 patients underwent ET and the other 21 underwent OT. The RAI activity of remnant thyroid was measured by the neck-to-skull uptake ratio on the first postoperative RAI ablation scan. Stimulated thyroglobulin levels, the total number of RAI ablation sessions, and doses of RAI for completion of ablation were also compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in regards of the RAI uptake ratio, the stimulated thyroglobulin level, the total number of RAI ablation sessions, and doses of RAI for completion of ablation, between ET and OT groups. CONCLUSION: The completeness of the surgical removal by BABA ET was comparable with that of OT. The BABA ET might give a safe option for patients with low-risk thyroid cancer.