Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of video-assisted thyroidectomy for benign thyroid nodules in a single institution. Between May 2009 and March 2016, a total of 214 patients with thyroid diseases underwent thyroid surgery by video-assisted neck surgery (VANS method) in our hospital. Among these patients, 182 patients underwent VANS for benign thyroid nodules. We compared the outcomes of these 182 patients (VANS group) with those of 108 patients treated by conventional open surgery (conventional surgery group) during the same period. With regard to surgical technique, we modified the VANS method mainly by using an originally developed skin-flap retractor. The VANS operation was successfully completed without conversion to conventional surgery in all patients. The median value of the maximum diameter of thyroid nodules, operating time, and amount of bleeding was 32mm, 123 minutes, and 20.5ml, respectively. As to complications, 11 patients (6.0%) had transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis and one patient (0.6%) had permanent RLN paralysis. There were significant differences between the VANS group and conventional surgery group in patient age, sex, BMI, maximum diameter of nodules, operation time, total volume of drain tube, and duration of hospitalization, but no significant differences in the amount of bleeding, or incidence rates of RLN paralysis and post-operative bleeding. In conclusion, we confirmed that the VANS method for benign thyroid nodules is a safe and reliable technique compared with conventional open surgery.
