Endoscopic Removal of Parathyroid Tumors via an Unilateral Axillo-Breast Approach

Abstract

Since Gagner introduced the first endoscopic parathyroidectomy in 1996, various approaches for endoscopic thyroidectomy & parathyroidectomy have been proposed. We have recently developed an unilateral axillo-breast approach for endoscopic thyroid surgery without gas insufflation. Through our experiences of more than 100 cases of endoscopic thyroidectomy, we have recently performed the endoscopic removal of parathyroid tumors. Case 1 was diagnosed as parathyroid adenoma, and we could not exclude the possibility of a thymic cyst, bronchogenic cyst, or brachial cleft cyst before the operation in Case 2. The final pathologic diagnosis of case 2 was a parathyroid cyst. To our knowledge, this is the first report of endoscopic removal of parathyroid tumor by an ENT surgeon in this country. This report suggests that endoscopic removal of parathyroid tumor or paratracheal mass via unilateral axillo-breast approach without gas insufflation could be a valid option for selective patients with major concern of cosmesis.