Trans-axillary single-port total endoscopic thyroidectomy

Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of the trans-axillary single-port totally endoscopic thyroidectomy (TASPET) by anterolateral approach of the cervical anterior muscles.Methods From April 2011 to August 2012,42 patients with thyroid diseases underwent TASPET.The clinical data,operative time,blood loss,drainage volume,complications,hospital stay,postoperative visual analog pain score(VAS) were analyzed retrospectively.Results Of the 42 patients,41 patients underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy successfully.One case was converted to open thyroidectomy due to uncontrolled bleeding.Mean operation time was (128 ± 42) min.Mean area of skin flap was (149 ± 9) cm2.Mean postoperative drainage volume on day 1 was (101 ± 69) ml.The hospital stay after opearation was 3 to 4 days.The postoperative VAS were (1.95 ± 1.85).Chest skin numbness occurred in 6 cases,transient recurrent nerve injury occurred in 2 cases,transient superior laryngeal nerve injury occurred in 1 case.Postoperative incision infection was in 2 cases,transient hypocalcemia in 1 case.Follow-up time ranged from 4 to 20 months,there was no tumor recurrence.Patients were uniformly pleased with the cosmetic results.Conclusions TASPET is safe and effective with minimal invasion,quick recovery and an excellent cosmetic result for the resection of benign thyroid nodules. Key words: Thyroid diseases;  Thyroidectomy