Modified Video-Assisted Thyroidectomy in a Benign Unilateral Thyroid Swelling

Background and aim: Conventional thyroidectomy may cause a long neck scar and a variety of potential complications. The concept of minimally invasive surgery has recently found many supporters in the management of thyroid disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suprasternal approach of modified minimal invasive video-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy (MIVAET) in treatment of unilateral simple nodular goiter in term of: feasibility of the operation, the identification of recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN) and parathyroid glands, operative time, postoperative pain and cosmetic result.. Patients and methods: This study was conducted on 20 patients with a simple solitary thyroid nodule in Surgical Oncology Unit at General Surgery Department, Tanta University Hospital from March 2015 to June 2016. Patients included in the study had small nodule less than 5 cm in maximum diameter, unilateral lesion, no previous neck surgery, benign lesion and euthyroid state. Every patient was subjected to MIVAET through a Suprasternal 2-cm neck incision. Results: The present study comprised 18 females (90%) and 2 males (10%) patients with a mean age of 32 years, The mean operative time was 63 minutes, simple nodular goiter was the commonest pathological finding, 90% of the patients stayed in the hospital one day and 70% were satisfied from cosmetic appearance of their scar 6 months after the operation. Conclusion: Modified minimal invasive video-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy was feasible, can be done safely and effectively with a better aesthetic outcome and pathological control without increasing the risk of complications.