Minimally Invasive Video-assisted Thyroidectomy: 2 Yrs Work

Abstract

Objective The minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) technique was first pioneered in Europe in the 1990s. It has shown to have comparable results to traditional thyroidectomy and additional advantages such as better cosmetic results as well as faster recovery. This project aims to analyze the results from the MIVAT procedure utilizing a 2-person technique over the initial 2 years of inception at an academic training center. Methods Retrospective review of 170 cases between May 2006 and September 2007 at LLUMC. The demographic and clinical data collected includes age, sex, incision, operative times, hospitalization, identification of recurrent laryngeal nerves, pathology, size of the dominant nodule and entire gland, and postoperative complications. Results 23 male and 147 female patients underwent MIVAT by a single surgeon; of those, 59 total thyroidectomies and 111 hemithyroidectomies were performed. The mean incision length was 3.5cm. The average weight/volume on pathology was 19.25g/19cm3, 21.03g/22cm3 and 31.29g/40cm3 for the right lobe, left lobe, and entire gland respectively. Average nodule size was 3.6cm3. The mean surgical time was 91.7 minutes and the mean blood loss was 31cc. Average hospitalization stay was 1.43 days. 17 patients experienced temporary hypocalcemia, and 1 patient remained hypocalcemic for more then 6 months. Two patients experienced transient pitch problems, 7 patients experienced temporary unilateral vocal cord paresis, and 1 patient experienced mild diplophonia. Conclusions While enabling smaller surgical access for thyroidectomy, 2-surgeon technique MIVAT can be performed safely and quickly. Voice problems were the most common complications that usually resolved in 8 weeks.