Publication:

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach: early experience in a single centre

Background Conventional open thyroidectomy is associated with a visible scar in the neck which may cause significant psychological distress to some patients, especially young women. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is an adaptation of the natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) technique to thyroid surgery and allows for a scarless surgery with minimal dissection.

Methods This study retrospectively reviewed all TOETVA surgeries performed at the department of endocrine surgery between August 2016 and July 2018. Protocol for selecting patients for this novel approach included patients with clinically benign thyroid nodules less than 6cm in diameter, with a strong preference for scarless surgery. The surgery was performed endoscopically through the inferior oral vestibule using conventional laparoscopic instruments.

Results A total of 11 patients were included. The mean size of the thyroid nodules was 3.72 cm. Hemithyroidectomy was performed in 7 patients and total thyroidectomy in 4. The median operative time was 150 minutes for hemithyroidectomy and 225 minutes for total thyroidectomy. One patient required conversion to open thyroidectomy due to excessive bleeding. Adverse effects included transient mental nerve palsy in 2 patients, temporary RLN palsy in 1 patient and temporary hpoparathyroidism in 1 patient. All 10 patients who underwent successful TOETVA reported satisfaction with the cosmetic outcome.

Conclusions TOETVA can be used to offer scar free thyroidectomy in appropriately selected patients. Attention to the anatomy of the mental nerve is essential to prevent nerve injury. Additionally the relatively longer operative time could lessen with increasing operator experience.