Comparison of the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach and open thyroidectomy: A propensity score-matched analysis of surgical outcomes and safety in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Factors influencing the quality of life in survivors of differentiated thyroid cancer based on patient-reported outcomes: a single-center cross-sectional study

Purpose

While the prognosis for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is favorable, the health-related quality of life (QOL) of survivors is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the QOL of DTC survivors.

Methods

A total of 860 DTC survivors who underwent thyroidectomy were surveyed. Participants completed the Chinese version of the Thyroid Cancer-Specific Quality of Life (THYCA-QOL) questionnaire, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), and additional related questions. Multivariate regression analyses identified factors affecting survivors' QOL.

Results

Among the survivors, 65 patients (7.6%) reported long-term postoperative complaints, including fatigue, throat discomfort, neck/shoulder stiffness, weight gain, and insomnia, among others. The average THYCA-QOL summary score was 20.29, with the highest scores in problems with scar, psychological problems, gained weight, less interest in sex, and sympathetic problems. The average EORTC QLQ-C30 summary score was 82.59, with lower scores for emotional and cognitive on the functional scales, and higher scores for fatigue and insomnia on the symptom scales. Women, BMI ≥ 28, higher T-stage (T3 + 4), permanent hypoparathyroidism, recurrence reoperation, and more postoperative complaints were associated with poorer thyroid cancer-specific QOL, while age over 45 years was associated with better QOL. Longer postoperative follow-up (>6 months) and drinking were correlated with higher QLQ-C30 summary scores, while recurrence reoperation and postoperative complaints were associated with worse QOL.

Conclusions

The QOL of DTC survivors is influenced by multiple factors, with some patients experiencing long-term complaints. Attention to the QOL and postoperative complaints in DTC survivors is essential.

Effects of endoscopic lobectomy and conventional lobectomy on psychological and sleep quality in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma-a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Both endoscopic thyroid lobectomy and conventional thyroid lobectomy are effective modalities for treating papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). However, their respective psychological and sleep quality ramifications in patients remain largely unexplored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients diagnosed with PTMC who underwent thyroid lobectomy at our institution between July 15, 2021, and July 15, 2022, were prospectively recruited. Psychological distress and sleep quality were assessed at five intervals (hospital admission, hospital discharge, and 1, 3, and 6 months posttreatment) utilizing four validated scales. The PTMC patients who completed the questionnaires diligently were subsequently categorized into either the endoscopic thyroid lobectomy group (trial group) or the conventional thyroid lobectomy group (control group). A propensity score matching (PSM) cohort was then established to examine longitudinal and cross-sectional alterations in psychological parameters.

RESULTS

Out of 602 eligible PTMC patients, 560 individuals completed all the questionnaires diligently during the follow-up period (response rate: 93.02%). This cohort comprised 176 patients (31.43%) who underwent endoscopic thyroid lobectomy and 384 patients (68.57%) who underwent conventional thyroid lobectomy. Following PSM, a comprehensive set of 176 matched patient pairs was successfully established. Both groups of patients exhibited a decline in sleep quality throughout the 6-month postoperative follow-up period; however, patients in the control group experienced concomitant elevation in anxiety levels. The PSQI scores of patients in the control group were markedly higher than those in the trial group across all follow-up time points, whereas the HAMA, HADS, and HEI scale scores did not significantly differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In terms of sleep quality and psychological well-being, endoscopic thyroid lobectomy is superior to conventional thyroid lobectomy for PTMC patients.

Surgical outcomes of video-assisted neck surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma

PURPOSE

New approaches to endoscopic thyroid surgery have been developed to improve cosmetic results, one of which is video-assisted neck surgery (VANS). The present study investigates the safety and effectiveness of thyroidectomy by VANS as oncologic surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODS

The subjects of this retrospective study were 121 patients with PTC, who underwent hemi-thyroid lobectomy and central lymph node dissection via open surgery (n = 102) or VANS (n = 19) at Tokushima University Hospital between 2011 and 2023. We performed 1:1 propensity score matching and then compared the surgical outcomes between the two matched groups.

RESULTS

Propensity score matching generated 18 distinct examination pairs. The VANS group had significantly less blood loss (P = 0.003), but a longer operative time (P < 0.001) than the open thyroidectomy group. There were two cases of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and one case of recurrence in the lateral regional lymph nodes in the VANS group. However, no significant differences were observed in the incidence of complications (P = 0.243) or recurrence (P = 0.500) between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

VANS is a safe and effective surgical procedure for PTC, but longer follow-up is needed to assess tumor recurrence.

Track recurrence after remote-access thyroid surgeries: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Remote-access thyroidectomies have gained popularity, but track recurrence, which is the implantation of thyroid tissue or lesions along the surgical access route, has been reported in case studies. This systematic review aims to review cases of track recurrence following remote-access thyroidectomies.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to identify case reports on track recurrence after endoscopic or robotic thyroidectomy up to June 2024. Data included patient demographics, details of the initial surgery and diagnosis, methods and timing of recurrence detection, and management strategies.

RESULTS

The search yielded 1578 articles, of which 17 case reports comprising 18 patients were included. The patients (16 females and two males) had a mean age of 34.6 ± 14.9 years. The mean size of initial tumors was 3.9 ± 1.2 cm, with diagnoses of eight cancers and 10 benign lesions. The initial surgeries included 12 endoscopic and six robotic procedures. Track recurrence was most often detected by palpable nodules followed by routine imaging and elevated serum Tg levels. The interval between initial surgery and recurrence ranged from 3 months to 8 years. Management varied from surgical resection and radioactive iodine therapy to close observation. There were no further recurrences in all but one case postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Track recurrence after remote-access thyroidectomy is rare but significant. Proper surgical techniques, careful handling of thyroid tissue, and rigorous postoperative monitoring are essential to minimize this risk. Awareness and prompt management of track recurrence may lead to favorable outcomes.

Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Versus Conventional Open Thyroidectomy: Interim Results From Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE

We determined whether endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) is associated with better health-related quality of life (QoL) compared with open thyroidectomy.

METHODS

We randomly assigned 28 patients aged older than 18 years, Bethesda IV or less on cytology and gland volume of <40 mL to undergo hemithyroidectomy through either open or endoscopic (axillo-breast approach/bilateral axillo-breast approach) technique. The primary outcome was QoL scores on the Short Form-36 and Thyroid-Specific Questionnaire at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postsurgery. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, hospital stay, and pain scores.

RESULTS

The generic QoL scores based on Short Form-36 were statistically nonsignificant between the two groups. QoL scores based on Thyroid-Specific Questionnaire were statistically significant ( P < 0.05) favoring open thyroidectomy in the following domains: (1) numbness at 2, 6, and 12 weeks ( P = 0.04, 0.004, and 0.005, respectively), (2) shoulder impairment at 2 weeks ( P = 0.017), and (3) favoring ET in cosmesis at 6 and 12 weeks ( P = 0.037 and 0.02, respectively). ET has longer operative time (104.6 ± 25.4 vs 123 ± 8.9 min; P = 0.03), longer hospital stays (2.8 ± 0.4 vs 2.4 ± 0.5; P = 0.056) and higher pain scores at 2 and 6 weeks ( P = 0.007 and 0.012, respectively) but decreased intraoperative bleeding (33.5 ± 6.4 vs 29.1 ± 3.7 mL; P = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

ET has higher cosmetic satisfaction, increased numbness, and shoulder movement impairment during short-term postsurgery follow-up. Both techniques are similar in impacting general physical, mental, and social health-related QoL. (Clinical Trials Registry of India, Reg. No. CTRI/2020/07/026374).

A study on the safety and efficacy of endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach for the treatment of thyroid cancer

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic thyroid cancer treatment using an axillary approach. Participants were allocated into 2 groups: one undergoing transaxillary endoscopic surgery and the other, traditional open surgery. We compared intraoperative and postoperative conditions, focusing on parameters such as intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, length of postoperative hospitalization, volume of postoperative drainage, number of lymph nodes cleared in the central region, neck pain scores, neck injury indices, cosmetic satisfaction, postoperative complications, and total hospitalization duration. Patients in the endoscopic treatment (ET) group experienced longer surgical times, less intraoperative bleeding, and increased postoperative drainage. These indicators showed significant differences between the groups (P < .05). For the group undergoing endoscopic surgery via the axillary approach, there was a lower neck pain score on the third postoperative day and higher cosmetic satisfaction at 3 months. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the number of lymph nodes cleared in the central area, and the incidence of complications such as difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and subcutaneous hematoma (P > .05). The axillary approach endoscopic surgery group also showed significantly prolonged surgery times and postoperative hospital stays, with a significant increase in postoperative drainage fluid (P < .05). Concurrently, this technique involved smaller surgical incisions and effectively concealed scars in the armpit, leading to better outcomes in terms of intraoperative bleeding, neck pain scores, and postoperative cosmetic satisfaction. Non-inflatable ET via the axillary approach for treating thyroid cancer demonstrates promising efficacy and safety. It offers additional benefits of minimal pain and enhanced cosmetic outcomes, making it a viable option for clinical adoption and application.

Postoperative Pain Following Transoral Thyroidectomy via Vestibular Approach and Cervical Thyroidectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via the vestibular approach (TOETVA) represents a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open thyroidectomy (OT). The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to comprehensively analyze and compare postoperative pain outcomes between conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) and TOETVA. We conducted a systematic search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Medline, Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO), and Google Scholar, to identify cohorts and randomized trials comparing postoperative pain outcomes between patients undergoing transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via the vestibular approach (TOETVA) and those undergoing conventional thyroidectomy. The search period spanned from the earliest available article up to January 15, 2022. Keywords such as "scarless thyroidectomy," "endoscopic transoral via vestibular thyroidectomy," "conventional thyroidectomy," "transcervical thyroidectomy," "postoperative pain," and "visual analog pain score" were utilized to retrieve relevant studies. A total of 1,291 patients from 11 studies were included in our analysis, with 10 studies originating from Asia and one from Europe. Among these studies, seven were prospective, while four were retrospective. The primary outcome measure was postoperative pain. Various statistical tests were also performed for data analysis, including the Chi-square and random effects model. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of studies. There was no significant statistical difference observed between the endoscopic transoral vestibular route and the conventional cervical approach in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) score, with an odds ratio of -0.37 and a 95% confidence interval ranging from -0.9 to 0.17. The overall effect had a P-value of 0.18. However, substantial heterogeneity was noted, with an I2 value for heterogeneity of 98% and a P-value for heterogeneity of less than 0.001. The Chi-square value was calculated as 364.02, and the main difference was 9. In comparison, TOETVA exhibited lower pain levels on the first day post-operation compared to conventional thyroidectomy, with an odds ratio of -1.36 and a 95% confidence interval ranging from -2.65 to -0.06. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via the vestibular approach demonstrated superior outcomes compared to conventional thyroidectomy in terms of postoperative pain management on the first day following surgery. However, when considering overall pain management throughout the recovery period, no significant difference was observed between the two approaches. More extensive studies evaluating pain levels on the day of surgery and controlling for analgesic interventions are warranted.

Feasibility and safety of modified en-bloc resection in endoscopic thyroid surgery via bilateral areolar approach - long-term institutional analysis ten years after surgery

Purpose

This study aimed to introduce a new modified en-bloc resection method and evaluate its feasibility and safety in endoscopic thyroid surgery via bilateral areolar approach (BAA).

Methods

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients who underwent lobectomy and ipsilateral central node dissection (CND) via the BAA approach were retrospectively reviewed. Their clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated, including operative duration, lymph node yield (LNY), surgical complications, recurrence rate, and metastasis rate, over a ten-year follow-up period. Simultaneous lobectomy and CND were performed in the modified en-bloc group, whereas lobectomy was performed first, followed by CND in the conventional group.

Results

The study included 108 patients in the modified en-bloc group and 213 in the conventional group. There were no significant differences in gender, age, tumor locations, tumor dominant nodule size, or the incidence of concomitant Hashimoto thyroiditis when comparing clinicopathologic characteristics. The comparison of operative duration (P = 0.14), blood loss (P = 0.13), postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.58), incidence of transient vocal cord paralysis (P = 0.90) and hypocalcemia (P = 0.60) did not show any differences. The mean LNY achieved in the central compartment of the modified en-bloc group (7.5 ± 4.5) was significantly higher than that in the conventional group (5.6 ± 3.6). Two patients in the modified en-bloc group and two in the conventional group experienced metastasis after surgery during the ten-year follow-up (1.8% vs. 0.9%, P = 0.60). The learning curve analysis showed a significant decrease in operative duration after the 25-35th cases for modified en-bloc resection.

Conclusions

The modified en-bloc resection method in endoscopic thyroid surgery via BAA is a technically feasible and safe procedure with excellent cosmetic outcomes for selective PTC patients.

Oncologic outcomes and surgical completeness of remote-access thyroidectomy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The oncologic safety and surgical completeness of remote-access thyroidectomies are not yet clearly established. This study evaluates the oncologic outcomes and surgical completeness of three prevalent remote-access thyroidectomies: the gasless transaxillary approach (GTAA), bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA), and transoral approach (TOA), in comparison with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy (CTT).

METHODS

Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases, covering the period from 2000 to 2023. Network meta-analyses were performed on selected studies, focusing on recurrence and surgical completeness. Surgical completeness was assessed using stimulated serum thyroglobulin levels and the count of retrieved lymph nodes.

RESULTS

The review included 48 studies, encompassing a total of 16,356 patients. The number of retrieved lymph nodes was comparable among BABA, TOA, and CTT, while GTAA might be less effective. Stimulated serum thyroglobulin levels showed no significant differences across the four groups. However, the proportion of patients with stimulated thyroglobulin levels below 1.0 ng/mL was significantly lower in GTAA compared to the other groups. The overall recurrence rates were 1.31% for CTT, 0.89% for GTAA, 0.62% for BABA, and 0% for TOA, with no significant differences in recurrence rates when adjusted for follow-up duration.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the oncologic outcomes of GTAA, BABA, and TOA are comparable to those of CTT, based on recurrence rates. In terms of surgical completeness, BABA and TOA showed equivalence to CTT, whereas GTAA might be inferior to the other techniques.

The impact of body mass index on operative time in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach for thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

The impact of body mass index (BMI) on operative time in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) for thyroid cancer is still a subject of debate. This study assessed the impact of BMI on operative time and postoperative complications in patients undergoing TOETVA.

METHODS

The study has been conducted to compare the outcomes of TOETVA in patients with high BMI (≥25) and those with normal BMI (<25). Postoperative outcomes, including operative time, blood lost, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy, hypocalcemia and postoperative pain score, were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients who underwent TOETVA were included in the study. The high BMI group consisted of 39 patients, while the normal BMI group included 23 patients. No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding operative time, blood loss, postoperative pain score, and postoperative complications such as recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy and hypocalcemia.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI was not significantly associated with operative time and postoperative complications in patients undergoing TOETVA, indicating its safety and feasibility for elevated BMI patients.

A prospective study comparing the gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy trans-axillary approach to conventional open thyroidectomy: health and quality of life outcomes

BACKGROUND

The relationship between different surgical treatments and quality of life remains uncertain for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). The aim of this study is to compare the gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy trans-axillary approach (ET) and traditional open thyroidectomy (OT) through a prospective cohort study focusing on the rate of the efficacy, and quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

This prospective observational longitudinal cohort study enrolled 134 female patients diagnosed with DTC from December 01/2021 to December 31/2022. Multiple scales were applicated to evaluate the differences in quality of life, effectiveness, safety, etc. between the two groups during preoperative and postoperative follow-up periods, including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30, version 3.0 (QOL-C30), Symptom Checklist (SCL-90), Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating (SCAR-Q), voice impairment score (VIS), swallowing impairment score (SIS), and neck impairment score (NIS).

RESULTS

Among them, 68 accepted ET and 66 patients underwent OT. To enhance comparability between the two groups, the patients enrolled in this study are female. Compared with the OT group, the ET group performed significantly better postoperative physical quality of life, including sound (p = 0.036), swallowing (p < 0.001), and neck function (p = 0.010). The ET group was also associated with significantly better cosmetic satisfaction (p < 0.001), and relatively faster recovery in psychological and emotional situation.

CONCLUSIONS

Gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy through an axillary approach leads to good cosmetic and psychological effects, improves postoperative QoL, and could be recommended for rapid postoperative recovery and involvement in daily and social activities.

Comparison of postoperative pain between transoral and conventional thyroidectomy: a propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

The extent of postoperative pain following transoral thyroidectomy is not well-understood and remains a subject of debate. This study aims to analyze and compare postoperative pain levels between patients undergoing transoral and conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.

METHODS

A prospective evaluation on postoperative pain was conducted in 310 patients undergoing conventional thyroidectomy and 194 undergoing transoral thyroidectomy. Pain levels were evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS, ranging from 0 to 10) through preoperative and postoperative questionnaires at specified time points: 1, 3, and 6 days, and 1 and 3 months following surgery. Propensity score-matched analysis was carried out based on six covariates: sex, age, body mass index, extent of thyroidectomy, tumor size, and central neck dissection.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching based on the six covariates, 121 patient pairs were identified from each group. Within this matched cohort, postoperative pain scores significantly worsened 1 day after surgery but showed progressive recovery up to 3 months post-surgery in both groups. The transoral group exhibited higher postoperative pain scores than the conventional group from day 1 (4.43 ± 2.6 vs. 3.11 ± 2.5, p < 0.001) to day 6 (1.76 ± 1.9 vs. 1.13 ± 1.6, p = 0.016) post-surgery, with no significant difference noted at 1 month. Among transoral procedures, pain scores were significantly higher for the endoscopic approach compared to the robotic approach on days 1 (5.52 ± 2.3 vs. 4.29 ± 2.3, p = 0.028) and 3 (3.52 ± 2.5 vs. 2.64 ± 2.0, p = 0.047) post-surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative pain was significantly higher in transoral thyroidectomy compared to conventional thyroidectomy up to 6 days post-surgery. Within the transoral group, the robotic procedure resulted in lower pain levels than the endoscopic approach during the early postoperative period.

Comparison of surgical outcomes of transoral robotic and endoscopic thyroidectomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

This study aimed to compare surgical outcomes of transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA), concurrently compared with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy (CTT). A network meta-analysis, comprising 23 studies, was performed in this study. The operative time of the CTT group was significantly shorter than that of the TOETVA and TORT groups. The hospital stay of the TOETVA group was significantly longer than that of the CTT group. Rates of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and total complications were higher in association with TOETVA than with TORT. No significant differences were found between the three groups in intraoperative blood loss, retrieved lymph nodes, postoperative pain, and other complications. Cosmetic satisfaction was significantly superior with TORT and TOETVA than with CTT. Compared with CTT, TOETVA and TORT showed superior cosmesis but no significant difference in surgical outcomes except for operative time and hospital stay.

Comparison of transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy with traditional low-collar incision thyroidectomy

Transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy can really make the patient's body surface free of scar. This study aimed to compare the surgical and patient-related outcomes between the transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy and traditional low-collar incision thyroidectomy. The clinical data of 120 patients underwent transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy (TOVRT) or traditional low-collar incision thyroidectomy (TLCIT) were collected from May 2020 to October 2021. Propensity score matching analysis was used to minimize selection bias. All these patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) through ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration prior to surgical intervention and surgical plan was tailored for each patient. An intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) detection system was used in all patients, whose RLNs were identified and protected. We performed transoral vestibular robotic thyroidectomy with three intraoral incisions. Additional right axillary fold incisions were adopted occasionally to enhance fine reverse traction of tissue for radical tumor dissection. Clinical data including gender, age, tumor size, BMI, operation time, postoperative drainage volume and time, pain score, postoperative length of stay (LOS),number of lymph nodes removed, complications, and medical expense were observed and analyzed. Propensity score matching was used for 1:1 matching between the TOVRT group and the TLCIT group. All these patients accepted total thyroidectomy(or lobectomy) plus central lymph node dissection and all suffered from PTC confirmed by postoperative pathology. No conversion to open surgery happened in TOVRT group. The operative time of TOVRT group was longer than that of TLCIT group (P < 0.05). The postoperative drainage volume of TOVRT group was more than that of TLCIT group (P < 0.05). The drainage tube placement time of TOVRT group were longer than that of TLCIT group (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also found in intraoperative bleeding volume, pain score and medical expense between the two groups (P < 0.05). The incidence of perioperative common complications such as hypoparathyroidism and vocal cord paralysis in the two groups was almost identical (P > 0.05). However, there were some specific complications such as surgical area infection (one case), skin burn (one case), oral tear (two cases), and paresthesia of the lower lip and the chin (two cases) were found in TOVRT group. Obviously, the postoperative cosmetic effect of the TOVRT group was better than TLCIT group (P < 0.05). TOVRT is safe and feasible for low to moderate-risk PTC patients and is a potential alternative for patients who require no scar on their neck. Patients accepted TOVRT can get more satisfaction and have less psychologic injury caused by surgery.

Advances in the assessment of cosmetic outcomes, sensory alteration in surgical areas, and health-related quality of life of endoscopic thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic thyroidectomy has been preliminarily proven effective and safe for thyroid diseases. The cosmetic outcomes and life quality are critical contents of postoperative assessment. This review will primarily focus on the assessment methods and results related to cosmetic outcomes, sensory alteration of surgical area, and quality of life following endoscopic thyroidectomy.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of published articles within the last decade was conducted using the terms "endoscopic/robotic thyroidectomy," "patient satisfaction scores," "questionnaire," "quality of life," and "cosmetic" in PubMed.

RESULTS

Assessment methods for postoperative cosmetic satisfaction and sensory alterations encompassed verbal/visual analog scales, scar evaluations, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament tests, and more. The evaluation of postoperative quality of life in endoscopic thyroidectomy involved tools such as SF-36, SF-12, thyroid-specific questionnaires, thyroid cancer-specific quality of life questionnaires (THYCA-QOL), as well as assessments related to voice and swallow function. The cosmetic results of endoscopic thyroidectomy generally surpassed those of open thyroidectomy, while the quality of life in endoscopic procedures was either superior or equivalent to that in open thyroidectomy, especially with respect to general health, role emotion, and vitality.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessments of cosmetic outcomes and sensory alterations following endoscopic thyroidectomy predominantly relied on patients' subjective feelings. The objective and subjective perspectives of scar assessments remain underutilized. In addition, postoperative laryngoscopy and voice function assessments in endoscopic thyroidectomy procedures require more attention.

Surgical outcomes of endoscopic thyroidectomy approaches for thyroid cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Objectives

This network meta-analysis assesses the outcomes of seven endoscopic approaches, offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in choosing the best method for thyroid cancer patients.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases up to March 2023. The analysis included seven endoscopic approaches, with a focus on their respective outcomes through network meta-analysis.

Results

This meta-analysis included 44 studies involving 8,672 patients. The axillo-bilateral breast approach (ABBA) and unilateral axillo-breast approach (UABA) showed advantages in terms of reduced operative time compared to other approaches (MD = 19.66 minutes, 95% CI = -31.66 to 70.98; MD = 30.32 minutes, 95% CI = -1.45 to 62.09, respectively). The UABA and anterior chest approach (ACA) exhibited superiority in controlling intraoperative bleeding (MD = -3.37 mL, 95% CI = -22.58 to 15.85; MD = -13.77 mL, 95% CI = -28.85 1.31, respectively). UABA and ACA also showed advantages in reducing hospital stays (MD = -0.39 days, 95% CI = -1.48 to 0.71; MD = -0.26 days, 95% CI = -1.33 to 0.81, respectively). The transoral approach (OA) yielded results comparable to those of conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) and outperformed other endoscopic surgeries with regards to lymph node retrieval and metastatic lymph node assessment. For the stimulated serum thyroglobulin (TG) levels, no significant difference was observed between bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) and OA compared to COT. However, chest-breast approach (CBA) showed significantly lower levels than COT (MD=-0.40 ng/ml, 95% CI =-0.72 to -0.09). Patients in the gasless unilateral transaxillary approach (GUA) group experienced a significant improvement in cosmetic satisfaction (MD=-2.08, 95% CI =-3.35 to -0.82). Importantly, no significant difference was observed in the incidence of surgical complications between endoscopic thyroidectomy and COT.

Conclusion

Endoscopic thyroid surgery is a safe and effective choice for thyroid cancer patients. Different approaches have their advantages, allowing personalized selection based on the patient's needs. ABBA and UABA have shorter operative times, while UABA and ACA excel at controlling bleeding and shortening hospital stays. OA shows promise for lymph node assessment. These findings contribute to the growing evidence supporting endoscopic methods, expanding treatment options for thyroid cancer patients.

Prospective cohort study of parathyroid function and quality of life after total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer: robotic surgery vs. open surgery

OBJECTIVE

To compare robot-assisted thyroidectomy (RT) and open thyroidectomy (OT) through a prospective cohort study focusing on the rate of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, efficacy, and quality of life (QoL).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Hypoparathyroidism is a frequent complication after thyroidectomy. Reducing the risk of hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy is a crucial and difficult task for thyroid surgeons.

METHODS

We prospectively enroled 306 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma into an RT group and OT group. The former used "super-meticulous" capsular dissection) and the latter used traditional meticulous capsular dissection. Patients were evaluated by scales [Short Form (SF)-36, Visual Impairment Scale (VIS), Swallowing Impairment Scale (SIS), Neck Impairment Scale (NIS), Scar questionnaire (SCAR-Q)].

RESULTS

The rates of transient hypoparathyroidism, permanent hypoparathyroidism, and transient hypocalcemia after surgery in the OT group and RT group were significantly different ( P <0.001). SIS and VIS scores in the two groups were significantly different ( P <0.001). SF-36 showed significant differences ( P <0.001) in the subsections of "physiological function", "body pain", "general health", "vitality", "social function", "role emotional", and "mental health" between the two groups. SCAR-Q showed that the length and appearance of scars showed significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

RT with Super-meticulous capsular dissection can protect parathyroid function and improve postoperative QoL, and could be a new option for robot-assisted surgery against thyroid cancer.

Endoscopic thyroidectomy via areola approach for stage T1 papillary thyroid carcinoma: feasibility, safety, and oncologic outcomes

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and oncologic outcomes associated with endoscopic thyroidectomy via the areolar approach (ETAA), compared with conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) for the treatment of stage T1 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

Between January 2021 and June 2022, a total of 1204 patients diagnosed with PTC underwent screening, out of which 138 patients were selected for inclusion in the study population after propensity score matching (92 patients in the ETAA group and 46 patients in the COT group). The study included the collection and analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, postoperative outcomes, complications, and follow-up data using R software.

Results

The operative time for the ETAA group was longer than that for the COT group (160.42 ± 32.21 min vs. 121.93 ± 29.78 min, p < 0.0001). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, the extent of surgical resection, the number of dissected lymph nodes, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, and the rate of parathyroid autotransplantation. Postoperative drainage and C-reactive protein levels were higher in the ETAA group than in the COT group, but there were no significant differences in 24-hour visual analogue scale scores, white blood cell counts, drainage duration, or postoperative hospital stay. Complication rates were similar between the two groups, and no permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy or hypoparathyroidism was observed. Patients who underwent ETAA reported greater cosmetic satisfaction and quality of life than those who underwent COT. During the follow-up phase, only one patient in the COT group developed lateral cervical lymph node involvement requiring reoperation.

Conclusion

ETAA is a safe and feasible surgical method for patients with stage T1 PTC, providing results similar to COT in terms of oncologic completeness, while avoiding neck scars, with excellent cosmetic effects.

Clinical trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry center, identifier ChiCTR2300077109.

Safety and Efficacy of Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach Versus Conventional Open Thyroidectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) versus conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) for some thyroid diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched. Full-text English papers that described TOETVA and COT for people with thyroid diseases were included. Randomized, nonrandomized, controlled, and uncontrolled trials were all included. Extracted data included population characteristics and intraoperative and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 2 randomized controlled trials and 10 retrospective studies, including 3048 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results suggested that the intraoperative conditions and postoperative complication rates did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, in the TOETVA group, there is a slightly longer operative time [weighted mean difference (WMD): 73.64; 95% CI: 49.34 to 97.94; P < 0.0001], drainage (WMD: 91.0; 95% CI: 35.52 to 146.48; P = 0.001), and hospital stay (WMD: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.38; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

For most of the benign thyroid nodules and selected patients with papillary thyroid cancer, TOETVA seems to be as feasible and safe as COT.

Gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via the anterior chest approach: the experience with 1500 cases

BACKGROUND

Conventional thyroidectomy leaves an eye-catching scar in the anterior neck region. Endoscopic thyroidectomy may achieve a better esthetic effect and improve quality of life postoperatively. The aim of this study was to undertake a complete review of a large cohort of the patients undergoing gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy (GET) via anterior chest approach (ACA) with a long-term follow-up period, and evaluate the results and limits of this procedure.

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2022, 1413 patients undergoing GET via ACA in our department were included. The demographic, clinicopathological characteristics, oncologic and esthetic outcomes were summarized and analyzed.

RESULTS

The indication for surgery was papillary thyroid carcinoma in 686 (48.5%) patients and benign thyroid diseases in 727 (51.5%) patients. Among them, 802 (56.8%) patients took hemithyroidectomy, and 611 (43.2%) patients did sub-total/total thyroidectomy. Meanwhile, 598 (42.3%) ones had central neck dissection, while 88 (6.2%) lateral neck dissection. The most common complication was transient hypoparathyroidism with an incidence of 2.9%. During the follow-up period of 2 to 232 months, three patients were confirmed locoregional recurrence. Most of the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results.

CONCLUSION

Gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via anterior chest approach is a safe and feasible procedure, which could achieve excellent oncologic and esthetic outcomes.

The usefulness and utilization of Gold-finger retractor for endoscopic thyroid surgery

Aims

In endoscopic surgery, the visual field is frequently obstructed by muscles, blood, and even smoke. To overcome this problem, we have developed a new detachable Gold-finger retractor for narrow-space surgery.

Methods

Gold-finger retractor was used in 30 patients to facilitate surgical field exposure and smoke discharge, while in 27 patients, percutaneous silk thread suspension was employed for the same purpose. Both groups underwent endoscopic unilateral thyroidectomy and unilateral central lymph node dissection via oral vestibular microincision combined with the axillary-assisted approach. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the Gold-finger retractor and silk thread suspension in relation to intraoperative exposure effect, surgical fluency, surgeon's comfort, operation time, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay. This analysis was based on surgical video recordings and postoperative indicators.

Results

With Gold-finger retractor support, surgeons were able to perform meticulous operations. Complication rates were similar between the two groups, and no serious complications occurred. The number of lymph nodes dissected in the Gold-finger group was significantly greater than that in the routine group (12.43 ± 6.18 and 5.7 ± 2.95, respectively). Further analysis of surgeons' comfort (visibility and convenience in peeling) revealed that the Gold-finger group was significantly better. Electrosurgery smoke was removed effectively with Gold-finger, and the operation time was significantly reduced.

Conclusion

In thyroid surgery, Gold-fingers enhance visual field resolution, avoid muscle cutting, save time, and improve the surgical experience.

Is transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy safe for total thyroidectomy compared to open thyroidectomy? A propensity-score matched cohort study with papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via vestibular approach (TOETVA) has become increasingly popular in the treatment of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). This study aimed to describe the safety and feasibility of total thyroidectomy between the TOETVA and open thyroidectomy (OT) approaches for the treatment of patients with PTC.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 780 consecutive patients suffering from PTC that had undergone total thyroidectomy using TOETVA (n = 107) and OT (n = 673) between April 2016 and December 2021 at our institute. Afterward, a total of 101 matched patients' surgical outcomes were compared using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

RESULTS

Before PSM, the patients in the TOETVA group were younger (p < 0.001), had a lower body mass index (p < 0.001) and a greater female population (p < 0.001). After PSM, the TOETVA group was associated with significantly longer operative time (p < 0.001), greater blood loss (p < 0.001), total drainage amount (p < 0.001), higher C-reaction protein level (p < 0.001), better cosmetic satisfaction (p < 0.001) and quality of life (p < 0.001) and lower scar self-consciousness (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the groups in the rate of parathyroid autotransplantation and bilateral lymph node dissection, the positivity of lymph node metastasis, number of dissected lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes, multifocality, postoperative level of blood calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH), rate of PTH < 15 ng/mL, visual analog scale score, duration of hospital stay, complications, mean thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-stimulated Tg level before radioactive iodine, mean Tg level without TSH stimulation, and the proportion of serum Tg level of <1.

CONCLUSION

TOETVA is a safe and feasible technique for better cosmetic effects and similar surgical outcomes compared to conventional open surgery for the studied patients that required total thyroidectomy.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach as a safe and feasible alternative to open thyroidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a scarless alternative to open thyroidectomy (OT). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence comparing the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of TOETVA and OT.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was performed to identify studies comparing the outcomes of TOETVA and OT published before February 2023. The outcomes of interest were operative time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative pain, number of central lymph nodes retrieved, number of metastatic central lymph nodes, and incidences of transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, transient and permanent hypocalcemia, hematoma, and infection.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies published between 2016 and 2022, involving a total of 2889 patients (TOETVA, n =1085; OT, n =1804) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that the TOETVA group had a significantly longer overall operative time (weighted mean difference [WMD] 55.19; 95% CI, 39.15, 71.23; P <0.001), longer hospital stay (WMD, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.14, 0.39; P <0.001), and lower pain scores on postoperative day 1 (WMD, -1.41; 95% CI, -2.79, -0.03; P =0.04) than the OT group. Other intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

TOETVA has a similar safety profile to OT with less postoperative pain, making it an appropriate and more cosmetically appealing alternative to OT for select patients.

Construction of a system for head and neck tumor traceless resection with non-inflatable transaxillary total endoscopic surgery

Radical cure and functional preservation of tumors are the fundamental goals of surgical treatment of head and neck tumors, and the preservation of good aesthetics is a higher pursuit on this basis. Fully hiding the surgical incision and reducing the visibility of scars are important goals of cosmetic surgery. Using complete endoscopy for the head and neck is an effective method. CO₂-free transaxillary total endoscopic surgery is a method with many advantages, which has been widely used in the resection of thyroid tumors, but for other parts and types of tumors in the head and neck, this surgical method is rarely used. The research team expanded its application scope and applied it to submandibular gland tumor resection and other head and neck surgeries for the first time. Through this exploration, it improved traction devices such as retractors, strictly limited the surgical indications, analyzed and summarized the key points, steps and methods of surgery, and built a treatment system for head and neck tumor surgery under complete endoscopy using the non-inflatable transaxillary approach. In this article, we introduce the system and select typical cases to share.

Modern Surgical Techniques of Thyroidectomy and Advances in the Prevention and Treatment of Perioperative Complications

Thyroid cancer is the most common cancer of the endocrine system, and, in recent years, there has been a phenomenon of overdiagnosis followed by subsequent overtreatment. This results in an increasing number of thyroidectomy complications being faced in clinical practice. In this paper, we present the current state of knowledge and the latest findings in the fields of modern surgical techniques, thermal ablation, the identification and assessment of parathyroid function, recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring and treatment and perioperative bleeding. We reviewed 485 papers, from which we selected 125 papers that are the most relevant. The main merit of this article is its comprehensive view of the subject under discussion-both general, concerning the selection of the appropriate method of surgery, and particular, concerning the selection of the appropriate method of prevention or treatment of selected perioperative complications.

The necessity of resection of suprasternal fossa fat in total endoscopic thyroidectomy via the areola approach

The identification of a lower boundary for the central lymph node (CLN) of the neck in total endoscopic thyroidectomy via the areola approach (ETA) is important for its radical dissection. We found that resection of the suprasternal fossa fat (SFF) was beneficial for exposing the lower boundary and preventing suprasternal swelling after the operation. This retrospective analysis included 470 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cases, with some treated by unilateral lobectomy, some by central lymph node dissection (CLND) through ETA (n = 193), and the others by conventional open thyroidectomy (COT, n = 277). The main observation indicators included the total number of CLNs, CLND operative time, visualization of the upper pole of the thymus before removing the CLN, and postoperative suprasternal swelling. The SFF retention group and COT group had a similar percentage of women (78.65% vs. 79.42%, P = 0.876) lower than that in the SFF resection group (95.19%, P < 0.001). The percentage of the visualized upper pole of the thymus before CLN removal was notably higher in the SFF resection group than that in the SFF retention group (63.46 vs. 29.21%, P < 0.001) but notably lower than that in the COT group (63.46% vs. 100%, P < 0.001). A total of 43.82% and 23.1% of patients in the SFF retention and COT groups showed suprasternal swelling, respectively. No patient exhibited such swelling in the SFF resection group (23.1% vs. 0, P < 0.001). Resection of SFF in ETA easily identified the lower boundary for CLND and prevented suprasternal fossa swelling.

Five-Year Oncologic Outcome and Surgical Completeness of Transoral Robotic Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Comparison with Conventional Transcervical Thyroidectomy Using Propensity Score Matching

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes and surgical completeness of transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) compared with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.

METHODS

We analyzed 489 patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection (CND; 311 conventional thyroidectomy and 178 TORT) between January 2017 and December 2021. Patients with gross invasion of the surrounding structures, revision or completion thyroidectomy, and lateral neck dissection were excluded. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed using eight covariates, including age, sex, extent of thyroidectomy, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and CND.

RESULTS

Before propensity score matching (PSM), age, male-to-female ratio, and body mass index were lower in the TORT group. The ratio of total thyroidectomy and CND, tumor size and bilaterality, LVI, and RAI ablation were higher in the conventional group. PSM generated two matched groups of 100 patients each. After PSM, significant differences between the two groups in the baseline analysis disappeared. In the matched samples, the recurrence rate (2% and 0% in the conventional and TORT groups, respectively) and recurrence-free survival curves did not differ between the two groups. The mean thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-stimulated thyroglobulin level in the RAI group and TSH-suppressed thyroglobulin level in the non-RAI group were not different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-year oncologic outcomes and surgical completeness of TORT were comparable with those of conventional thyroidectomy in patients with small, localized, low-risk PTC when performed by experienced surgeons.

Transoral thyroidectomy vestibular approach vs. conventional open thyroidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to compare the intraoperative outcomes and postoperative complications of patients experiencing transoral thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOTVA) and conventional open thyroidectomy (COT). PUBMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library, and Web of science expanded between January 2007 and November 2022 comparing TOTVA and COT was exhaustively searched. Fifteen non-randomized controlled studies involving 2955 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses indicated that TOTVA was associated with longer operative time (WMD, 66.86; 95%CI, 47.15-86.56; P < 0.00001), more blood loss (WMD, 2.83; 95%CI, 1.77-3.90; P < 0.00001), higher incidence of wound infection (OR, 5.62; 95%CI, 1.57-20.10, P = 0.008). There was no significant difference in terms of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy and other postoperative outcomes. In conclusion, TOTVA appears to be a feasible and safe approach for the treatment of patients with benign thyroid nodules and selected differential thyroid carcinomas just like the COT.

Novel suspension system for gasless transoral vestibular thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is receiving increased attention, frequently due to growing requirements for cosmetic incisions. Here, we report our initial experience and discuss the safety and efficacy of the innovative surgical working space suspension system for gasless TOETVA.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 75 consecutive patients for whom gasless TOETVA with our novel working space suspension system was used. This suspension system included self-developed retractors, a sterile bandage, and an anesthesia stand. We also improved some main surgical instruments in gasless TOETVA.

RESULTS

The study included 75 patients who successfully underwent thyroidectomy and central neck dissection via gasless TOETVA. The mean operating time was 143.27 ± 34.60 min. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was 8.00 ± 5.39. Conversion to open surgery did not occur, nor did patients exhibit serious postoperative complications. Postoperative complications included 4 cases of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy, 9 of transient hypoparathyroidism, and 3 of transient mental nerve injury. One patient with subcutaneous fluid after surgery recovered after aspiration. Another patient with submental minor perforation recovered well after suturing. There was no evidence of specific complications related to self-designed retractors.

CONCLUSION

The innovative working space suspension system for gasless TOETVA provided enough and stable working space and optimized the clarity of the surgical field without CO₂-related complications.

The global status and hotspots of research in the field of trans-oral endoscopic thyroidectomy (TOET) from 2008 to 2022

Purpose

In this study, the aim was to comprehensively analyze the current status, hotspots, and trends of trans-oral endoscopic thyroidectomy (TOET) through bibliometric analysis and by presenting the field atlas.

Methods

Web of Science Core Collection database was adopted to screen studies regarding TOET published between January 1, 2008 and August 1, 2022. The evaluation covered the criteria total number of studies, keywords, and contributions from countries/regions, institutions, journals, and authors.

Results

A total of 229 studies were covered. SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES is the largest publication in the field of TOET. The three countries that contributed the most studies were Korea, China, and the USA. The most frequently occurring core keywords in the field of TOET are vestibular approach, outcomes, experience, safety, robotic thyroidectomy, scar, video-assisted thyroidectomy and quality-of-life. The seven clusters were generated in this study: intraoperative monitoring of the laryngeal return nerve (# 0), learning curve (# 1), postoperative quality of life (# 2), central lymph node dissection and safety (# 3), complications (# 4), minimally invasive surgery (# 5), and robotic surgery (# 6).

Conclusion

The main research topics in the field of TOET place focuses on learning curves, laryngeal nerve monitoring, carbon dioxide gas bolus, chin nerve injury, surgical complications, and surgical safety. In the future, more academics will focus on the safety of the procedure and reducing complications..

Comparison of the endoscopic thyroidectomy via areola approach and open thyroidectomy: A propensity score matched cohort study of 302 patients in the treatment of papillary thyroid non-microcarcinoma

Background

The endoscopic thyroidectomy via areola approach (ETAA) is widely used in patients with benign thyroid tumors and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Its safety and complication rates are reported to be similar to open thyroidectomy (OT). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ETAA, compared with OT, in patients with papillary thyroid non-microcarcinoma (PTNMC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with PTNMC who underwent ETAA or OT in our hospital from January 2017 to December 2021. A total of 302 patients were matched at a ratio of 1:1 by the propensity score matching (PSM) analysis and surgical outcomes. Safety and feasibility were analyzed between two groups.

Results

Before PSM, patients in the ETAA group were younger (p < 0.001) and had a larger proportion of female patients (p < 0.001) with a lower BMI (p < 0.001) compared with the OT group. The ETAA group also had a higher proportion of unilateral thyroidectomy (p = 0.002). PSM was used to create a highly comparable control group. After PSM, the ETAA group had a longer operative time (p < 0.001), larger blood loss (p = 0.046) and total drainage amount (p = 0.035), with higher C-reactive protein (p = 0.023) and better cosmetic outcomes (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the following clinicopathologic characteristics: number of dissected positive lymph nodes, rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve signal weakened, parathyroid autotransplantation, postoperative pain, hospital stay, complications, and oncologic completeness. There was no patient converted to OT in the ETAA group and two patients suffered from persistence/recurrence in the follow-up.

Conclusion

ETAA is a safe and feasible surgical approach for patients with PTNMC.

Oncologic safety and surgical outcomes of the different surgical approaches of endoscopic thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma

PURPOSE

To evaluate the oncologic safety and surgical outcomes of endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) performed via different surgical approaches for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of PTC patients who underwent ET between May 2015 and May 2021, at the Department of General Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital (affiliated with Capital Medical University). The patients were divided into three groups: the ET via breast approach (ETBA) group, the transoral ET vestibular approach (TOETVA) group, and the ET via transaxillary approach (ETTA) group. We evaluated the safety and surgical outcomes of each of these ET approaches.

RESULTS

A total of 490 patients were included in the analysis: 416 in the ETBA group, 57 in the TOETVA group, and 17 in the ETTA group. There were no significant differences among the groups in clinicopathologic characteristics or surgical procedures, or in the incidences of complications such as hematoma, subcutaneous emphysema, infection, and chyle. The incidences of transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury were 1.4% and 4.3%, respectively, with no significant difference among the three groups. The incidences of transient and permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism were 13.7% and 1.4%, respectively. The incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism in the TOETVA group was 1.7%, which was significantly lower than that in the ETBA group. The postoperative 1-, 3- and 5-year rates of disease-free survival were 99.5%, 96.8%, and 95.9%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that ET was not a significant risk factor for recurrence or metastasis (p = 0.83 and p = 0.49, respectively), regardless of the surgical approach.

CONCLUSIONS

TOETVA may be associated with a lower incidence of temporary hypoparathyroidism than ETBA. Apart from this difference, ETBA, ETTA and TOETVA showed comparable oncologic safety and surgical outcomes.

Standardized Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Procedure is Feasible in Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative neuromonitoring in thyroid surgeries has become popular, but the standardized manner of intraoperative neuromonitoring during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is not well established. This study evaluated the feasibility of using a standardized intraoperative neuromonitoring method for TOETVA.

METHODS

Medical records of consecutive patients who underwent TOETVA with intraoperative neuromonitoring were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were positioned before intubation to prevent tube migration, then intubated using video laryngoscopy. The electromyography amplitudes of the vagal nerves and the recurrent laryngeal nerves were checked before (V1, R1) and after (V2, R2) thyroid resection. V1 and V2 signals were evaluated using a long ball tip stimulator with a stimulus current of 3 mA. R1 and R2 signals were obtained using the stimulus current of 1 to 3 mA.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients (3 males and 39 females) were included. Lobectomy was performed in 40 patients (95.2%) and total thyroidectomy in 2 (4.8%). Pathologic diagnoses were 30 papillary thyroid carcinomas, 2 follicular thyroid carcinomas, and 9 benign diseases. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 1 patient due to bleeding. Thus, 43 nerves at risk in 41 patients were analyzed. V1 and R1 signals were detected from all nerves. The mean V1 and R1 amplitudes were 738.7±391.4 μV and 804.4±347.5 μV, respectively, and 38 (88.3%) and 39 (90.7%) nerves had R1 and V1 amplitudes of more than 500 μV. There were 2 cases (4.6%) of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. R2 and V2 signals were detected in the 41 remaining nerves. The mean R2 and V2 amplitudes were 917.2±505.2 μV and 715.7±356.2 μV, respectively, and 36 (87.8%) and 32 (78.0%) nerves had respective R2 and V2 amplitudes of more than 500 μV.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative neuromonitoring could be performed in a standardized manner in TOETVA, and the quality of intraoperative neuromonitoring was excellent. Further studies are needed to verify the feasibility of the current approach.

Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy by Vestibular Approach for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Tumor Size ≥2 cm

Background: The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by vestibular approach (TOETVA) has been developed for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) treatment with satisfactory results. However, there were few malignant thyroid nodules ≥2 cm in previous studies of TOETVA. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the results of treatment by TOETVA for PTC with tumor size ≥2 cm. Materials and Methods: The clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of 10 PTC patients with tumor size ≥2 cm who underwent TOETVA in our center from June 2018 to August 2021 were, respectively, reviewed. Results: All 10 included PTC patients successfully underwent TOETVA and the mean tumor size was 2.5 ± 0.5 cm. The mean number lymph nodes dissected was 9.6 ± 2.9, and 3.1 ± 3.3 positive lymph nodes were discovered. Postoperatively, transient hypoparathyroidism was recorded in 2 patients (20%), transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was noted in 1 patient (10%), transient superior laryngeal nerve injury was noted in 1 patient (10%), and numb chin was identified in 1 patient (10%). The postoperative complications aforementioned recovered within 6 months. During a median follow-up of 23.8 ± 13.1 months, no other complications or tumor recurrence were found. Conclusions: TOETVA is feasible for PTC patients with tumor size ≥2 cm and satisfactory short-term surgical outcomes have achieved in this study. We suggested that experienced surgeons can gradually expand the indications for TOETVA.

Factors Influencing the Acceptance of Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Via Oral Vestibular Approach (ETOVA) by Thyroid Surgery Candidates

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the factors affecting the acceptance of endoscopic thyroidectomy via the oral vestibular approach (ETOVA) in Chinese patients before thyroid surgery.

METHODS

The enrolled patients were asked to answer a questionnaire postoperatively about their demographics, medical insurance coverage, sources of information, reasons for selection, and safety. The relationship between the collected data and the acceptance of ETOVA was analyzed.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients (40 males, 20%; 160 females, 80%) answered the questionnaire. One hundred sixty-two of them (81%) accepted ETOVA. Univariate analysis showed that the patients' age, cosmetic effect, safety, results perception, and recommendations from family, friends, doctors, and nurses are correlated with the acceptance of ETOVA. Multivariate analysis showed that patients' age (OR=0.966, P =0.015), cosmetic effect (OR=12.620, P =0.000), safety (OR=0.295, P =0.016), minimal invasion (OR=4.877, P =0.001), and doctors/nurses' advance (OR=4.485, P =0.017) are statistically significant and were positively correlated with the acceptance of ETOVA. Education level, medical insurance coverage, family support, past surgical history, and operative-related symptoms were not statistically significant ( P >0.05).

CONCLUSION

Among thyroid surgery candidates in Southwest China, younger patients with cosmetic requirements and minimally invasive procedures desires are more likely to consider ETOVA at the urging of their physicians/nurses. Providing appropriate healthcare education, medical insurance coverage, and information options for surgical treatments is vital to improving patients' acceptance of ETOVA.

Hypoparathyroidism Risk After Total Endoscopic Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Comparison of the Transoral Vestibular and Breast Approaches

Background

This study aimed to compare the risk of hypoparathyroidism between the transoral vestibular approach (TOVA) and the breast approach (BA) in patients undergoing total endoscopic thyroidectomy (TET) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

The medical records of 121 PTC patients (all women) who underwent total TET from January 2015 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped according to surgical approach (BA or TOVA). Clinical status and concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium were monitored in the perioperative period and 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

Results

The BA and TOVA groups comprised 101 and 20 patients, respectively. Clinicopathologic and characteristics and surgical data were comparable between the groups. Incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism was significantly lower in the TOVA group than the BA group (10% vs 63.4%; p <0.01). Incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was comparable (5% vs 6.9%). Two days after TET, mean PTH concentration was significantly higher and incidence of abnormal PTH was significantly lower in the TOVA group. The incidence of abnormal calcium concentration 2 days after surgery was significantly lower in the TOVA group. One month after surgery, the mean calcium concentration was significantly higher in the TOVA group. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that patients who underwent TOVA had a lower risk of transient hypoparathyroidism (hazard ratio 0.05, 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.23; p<0.01). No clinicopathological factors examined were significantly associated with permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Conclusion

In patients undergoing TET for PTC, the incidence of transient hypoparathyroidism may be lower with the TOVA than the BA. Surgeons should be aware of the relatively high risk of transient hypoparathyroidism when performing the BA.

Safety and feasibility of the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach with neuroprotection techniques for papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the trans-oral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) with neuroprotection techniques for the surgical management of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODS

Patients with PTC who underwent TOETVA between December 2016 and July 2020 were included in this study, and their relevant clinical characteristics, operational details, and surgical outcomes were reviewed and extracted from their medical records for further analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 75 patients successfully underwent TOETVA with zero conversions. Unilateral lobectomy with isthmectomy and total thyroidectomy were completed for 58 and 17 patients, respectively, all using our unique neuroprotective procedure and ipsilateral central neck dissection (CND). The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes versus positive lymph nodes was 6.8 ± 3.7 vs. 1.5 ± 2.3. Postoperative complications included three cases of transient superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) palsy (4.0%), five cases of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy (6.7%), 14 cases of transient hypoparathyroidism (18.7%), two cases of numb chin (2.7%) and two cases of flap perforation (2.7%). The follow-up period for patients with PTC lasted for 15.6 ± 10.9 months, during which no other complications or tumor recurrence were observed.

CONCLUSION

TOETVA can be safely performed for patients with PTC with satisfactory results during the short-term follow-up period. Our neuroprotection techniques can be integrated into TOETVA, which is worth recommending for PTC patients who desire better cosmetic surgical outcomes.

Comparison Between Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) and Conventional Open Thyroidectomy for Patients Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy and Central Neck Dissection: A Propensity Score-Matching Analysis

Background

Use of the novel transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is increasing worldwide. Although several studies have compared safety and efficacy of TOETVA and other approaches, most focused on comparisons in the context of unilateral thyroidectomy. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the safety and surgical completeness of TOETVA with conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) undergoing total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection.

Methods

The medical records of patients who underwent TOETVA or COT by a single surgeon between June 2017 and October 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were diagnosed with PTC and underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection. Propensity score-matching (PSM) was used to reduce potential selection bias and to adjust for differences in baseline clinicopathological characteristics.

Results

After PSM, 84 (TOETVA: 28; COT: 56) patients remained in the study population. There were no significant differences in sex, mean age, combined thyroiditis, tumor size, capsule invasion, tumor multifocality in the same lobe, or tumor location between the groups. Operative time was longer (190.54 ± 28.26 vs. 123.93 ± 29.78 min, P<0.001), while postoperative drainage volume (161.07 ± 225.30 vs. 71.16 ± 28.56 ml, P=0.045) was greater, in the TOETVA group than in the COT group. The groups exhibited no significant differences in the mean number of central lymph nodes retrieved (9.39 ± 4.01 vs. 10.71 ± 5.17, P=0.202), mean number of metastatic central lymph nodes (1.36 ± 1.93 vs. 1.77 ± 2.31, P=0.421), postoperative mean thyroglobulin levels (0.08 ± 0.24 vs. 0.10 ± 0.27, P=0.686), rate of transient hypoparathyroidism (TOETVA: 67.9% vs. COT: 66.1%, P=0.870), rate of transient vocal cord palsy (TOETVA: 0% vs. COT: 1.8%, P=1.000), or other complications (TOETVA: 3.6% vs. COT: 0%, P=0.333).

Conclusions

TOETVA is a safe approach in select patients with PTC and exhibits similar efficacy to COT in terms of surgical completeness.

Effects of Intraoperative Neural Tunnel in Protecting Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve: Experiences in Open, Trans Breast, and Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Background

Energy-based devices (EBDs) increase the risks of thermal nerve injuries. This study aimed to introduce a surgical strategy of intraoperative neural tunnel protecting (INTP) for evaluating the effect in reducing the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) damage in open, trans breast, and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Methods

INTP strategy was introduced: a tunnel was established and protected by endoscopic gauze along the direction of the nerve. A total of 165, 94, and 200 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) were to use INTP in respectively open, trans breast, and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy as the INTP group. Additionally, 150, 95, and 225 patients who received the same methods without INTP were enrolled in the control group. Ipsilateral thyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy, and central compartment dissection were performed on the enrolled patients.

Results

Clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and surgical complications were similar between the INTP group and the control group in open, trans breast, and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy. The incidences of electromyography (EMG) changes in the INTP group were lower as compared to the control group in trans breast endoscopic thyroidectomy (p < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative hoarse in the INTP group was lower as compared to the control group in open and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy (p < 0.05). Postoperative calcium levels (p < 0.01) were significantly higher, and the white blood cells (p < 0.05) and C-reactive protein levels (p < 0.01) were significantly decreased in the INTP group compared with the control group in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Conclusions

This was the first instance of the INTP strategy being introduced and was found to be an effective method for protecting the RLN in open, trans breast, and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy. Additionally, INTP helped protect other important tissues such as the parathyroid glands in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy as well as in reducing postoperative inflammatory responses.

OUP accepted manuscript

BACKGROUND

The IDEAL Framework is a scheme for safe implementation and assessment of surgical innovation. The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a new innovation in thyroid surgery that eliminates the need for a cervical incision. Despite considerable interest and adoption worldwide, significant scepticism remains regarding the outcomes and cost-effectiveness for healthcare systems. The aim of this narrative review was to appraise the available literature and examine whether TOETVA has progressed in line with the IDEAL Framework.

METHODS

A literature review of PubMed with a focus on historical and landmark studies was undertaken to classify the evidence according to the different stages of the IDEAL Framework.

RESULTS

Several different transoral approaches were developed by a small of number of surgeon-innovators on animals and cadavers, and subsequently in first-in-human studies. The trivestibular approach emerged as the safest technique, with further refinements of this technique culminating in TOETVA. The basic steps and indications for this technique have been standardized and it is now being replicated by early adopters in many centres worldwide. The development of TOETVA has closely aligned with the IDEAL Framework, and is currently at stage 2B (Exploration).

CONCLUSION

There is need for multi-institutional collaborations and international registry studies to plan high-quality randomized trials comparing TOETVA with other remote-access approaches and collect long-term follow-up data. In countries where TOETVA has yet to be adopted, the IDEAL Framework will be a useful roadmap for government regulators and professional societies to evaluate, regulate, and provide best practice recommendations for the adoption of this technique.

Comparison of Different Mandibular Jawlines Classifications on Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Experiences of 690 Cases

BACKGROUND

The influences of patients' different mandibular jawlines on transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via vestibular approach (TOETVA) have not been described before. The objective of this study was to introduce a new classification to assess different mandibular jawlines, and to evaluate the effects on TOETVA in terms of safety, feasibility, and postoperative feelings in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODS

The crossing angle of esthetic plane and mandibular plane was defined as Wang Angle, used to assess patients' different mandibular jawlines. Mandibular classifications of A (angle: 80° ~ 110°), B (angle > 110°), and C (angle < 80°) types were compared to evaluate the surgical outcomes of TOETVA by a retrospective study. 690 patients of PTC who received TOETVA were included in this study, which were divided into three groups according to mandibular classifications.

RESULTS

Clinicopathological characteristics of the patients including age, gender, body mass index, tumor size, Hashimoto thyroiditis were similar in the three groups. Patients' length of jay in group C was significantly longer than group A and group B (P < 0.01). The ratios of using suspension system in group C were significantly higher than group A and group B (P < 0.01). The scores of postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) and ratios of mandibular swell in group C were significantly higher than group A and group B (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the three groups regarding surgical outcomes, including postoperative vocal cord paralysis, hypocalcemia, serum white blood cells and C-reactive protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The Wang angle and mandibular jawline classifications were firstly introduced in TOETVA. All the patients of class A, B, and C mandibular jawline can achieve safe and effective surgical outcomes in the treatment of PTC with TOETVA. Patients of class C need more assistance of suspension system, would experience higher scores of VAS, and higher ratios of mandibular swell compared with class A and B.