Endoscope-assisted intraoral removal of ectopic thyroid tissue using a frenotomy incision

Endoscope-Assisted Hairline Approach for Head and Neck Masses: A Review

Conventional surgery through a transcervical incision is indicated for the treatment of certain tumors in the head and neck. However, this method can cause multiple problems, including scarring and cosmetic concerns. The endoscope-assisted hairline approach, which serves as an alternative to conventional surgical procedures, is gaining popularity due to its excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes. However, given the anatomical complexity involved, the endoscope-assisted hairline technique is not frequently employed in head and neck surgery. The evolution of the hairline surgical approach has been influenced by changes in disease conditions and recent advances in surgical tools. This review article discusses the use of endoscope-assisted hairline approaches in the resection of head and neck masses, focusing on the surgical procedure and postoperative clinical outcomes.

Endoscopically-Assisted Scar-Free Midline Neck Mass Excision

Traditional open surgery is indicated for the treatment of selected tumor subsites in the head and neck. However, it can cause major cosmetic problems and functional pathologies. The endoscopically-assisted transoral approach is increasingly preferred in some surgical fields due to its superior cosmetic and functional outcomes. Nonetheless, endoscopically-assisted transoral approach is not yet standard in the head and neck due to their anatomical complexity. The transoral surgical approach has been used for head and neck masses since the 1960s, and its application continues to evolve with changing disease conditions and recent innovations in surgical instruments. The potential for wide application of transoral surgery continues to be investigated, with a focus on minimizing occurrence of the complications. This review presents details of the surgical procedure and postoperative clinical outcomes, as well as endoscopically-assisted scar-free techniques for the resection of midline neck masses.

Anatomical study of gasless transoral thyroidectomy and clinical application

BACKGROUND

Transoral thyroidectomy is becoming a preferred technique because it has the advantage of not leaving a scar after surgery. However, it is not yet standard because of the anatomic nerve complexity of this oral cavity and difficulty of approach. The aim of this study was to determine the safety zone of a gasless transoral thyroidectomy approach using an anatomical study and to evaluate the efficacy of this approach on clinical application.

METHODS

Phase 1, twenty unilateral specimens from fresh cadavers underwent staining by the modified Sihler's method to identify nerves around the oral vestibules. Then, the safety zone of the transoral thyroidectomy approach was proposed. Phase 2, a comparative analysis of the clinical outcomes of gasless transoral thyroidectomy through the safety zone versus transcutaneous thyroidectomy approach.

RESULTS

In phase 1, numerous inferior labial branches diverged from the mental nerve and were distributed across the lower lip. In most cases, the most lateral branch reached almost to the corner of the mouth, whereas a nerve-free area was present at the medial region of the lower lip. The suggested safety zone was presented as a trapezoid shape. In phase 2, there were no significant differences in age, mass size, or complications between the two groups. However, the operation time in the transoral thyroidectomy group was longer than in the transcutaneous group (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the anatomical study, we suggested a safety zone for the gasless transoral thyroidectomy. On application of this safety zone, gasless transoral thyroidectomy is a safe and feasible procedure.

Transoral Dermoid Cyst Excision: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

Transoral surgery is becoming a preferred technique because it does not leave any scar after surgery. However, transoral surgery for a dermoid cyst of the oral cavity is not standardized yet, due to the anatomic complexity of this region. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a transoral dermoid cyst excision.

STUDY DESIGN

Multicenter prospective observational study.

SETTING

University hospital.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This study was designed as a 4-year prospective multicenter evaluation of dermoid cyst excisions within the floor of mouth. Clinical outcomes and complications related to procedures were evaluated among patients. The primary outcome was the efficacy of the procedure, and the secondary outcome was cosmetic satisfaction of each procedure.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients underwent transoral dermoid cyst excisions, and 22 underwent transcervical excisions. In the transoral surgery group, the mean size of the dermoid cyst was 5.35 cm (95% CI, 4.79-5.91), and in the transcervical surgery group, it was 6.19 cm (95% CI, 5.67-6.71). There was no significant differences with respect to overall demographic characteristics between the groups. However, the duration of the operation was shorter with the transoral group than with the transcervical group ( P = .001), and cosmetic satisfaction was much better in the transoral group ( P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Transoral dermoid cyst excision is a potentially safe and effective method that can lead to easy and quick removal of an oral cavity dermoid cyst, with excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Effect of wound massage on neck discomfort and voice changes after thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

Neck discomfort and voice change are common complications after thyroidectomy. These symptoms might be due to damaged laryngeal nerves, intrinsic structures, or extralaryngeal muscles. They can also occur without injury to any structure as with wound adhesion after thyroidectomy. The objective of this study was to determine causes of neck discomfort and voice change after thyroidectomy and to evaluate the effect of wound massage on symptom relief.

METHODS

Forty-five female patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were included (21 in the experimental group and 24 in the control group). Wound massage was used as an intervention to release surgical adhesion. After wound massage education, participants in the experimental group received wound massage from 4 to 12 weeks after thyroidectomy. Analysis was performed for both groups.

RESULTS

No laryngeal pathology was found after thyroidectomy. The experimental group had significantly better recovery from surgical adhesion and subjective visual analog scale, voice impairment score, and swallowing impairment score (all P < .01) compared with the control group. Voice analysis results associated with laryngeal movement (speaking fundamental frequency, voice range profile maximum, voice range profile range) also indicated significant recovery (P < .01) in the experimental group. These results indicate that local adhesion after thyroidectomy might affect general movement of the larynx and that wound massage could help patients recover normal general movement of the larynx.

CONCLUSION

Neck discomfort and voice change after thyroidectomy are related to local wound adhesion, possibly associated with impairment of laryngeal vertical movement. Release of wound adhesion could help patients recover from neck discomfort and voice changes after thyroidectomy.

No-Scar Transoral Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Excision in Children

BACKGROUND

No-scar transoral thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) excision is a newly developed treatment for TGDC, but limited information is available regarding the clinical outcomes in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and effects of transoral TGDC excision in children.

METHODS

Forty-four children <10 years of age received operative treatment for TGDC from January 2013 to December 2014, and follow-up was performed over 24 months. Clinicopathologic, surgical, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. The primary outcome variable was feasibility of the procedure, and the secondary outcome was patient's cosmetic satisfaction after each operation.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients underwent transoral TGDC excision, and 21 patients underwent conventional excision. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the overall patient and operation factors. However, the rate of identifying the thyroglossal duct during transoral excision was superior to that during conventional excision (p < 0.05), and cosmetic satisfaction was much better in the transoral TGDC excision group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

No-scar transoral TGDC excision in children is a potentially safe and effective methodology that can achieve easy removal of the thyroglossal duct and excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Efficacy of a Home-Based Exercise Program After Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a home-based exercise program on fatigue, anxiety, quality of life (QoL), and immune function of thyroid cancer patients taking thyroid hormone replacement after thyroidectomy.

METHOD

This quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group included 43 outpatients taking thyroid hormone replacement after thyroidectomy (22 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group). After education about the home-based exercise program, subjects in the experimental group underwent 12 weeks of aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercise. A comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups.

RESULTS

Patients in the experimental group were significantly less fatigued or anxious (p < 0.01). They reported significantly improved QoL (p < 0.05) compared to those in the control group. Natural killer cell activity was significantly higher in the exercise group compared to that in the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A home-based exercise program is effective in reducing fatigue and anxiety, improving QoL, and increasing immune function in patients taking thyroid hormone replacement after thyroidectomy. Therefore, such a home-based exercise program can be used as an intervention for patients who are taking thyroid hormone replacement after thyroidectomy.

Implementation of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring for Transoral Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery: A Preliminary Report

BACKGROUND

Transoral endoscopic approach is the natural orifice surgery applied in thyroidectomy to achieve an excellent cosmetic result. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is the most common complication and little advancement was achieved in the previous clinical studies of transoral thyroid surgery. Herein, we introduced the method of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) for transoral endoscopic thyroid surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with thyroid carcinoma received transoral endoscopic thyroid surgery through vestibular approach (TOETVA) for thyroidectomy and central node dissection (CND). IONM was implemented to identify whether the RLN benefited from oral tracheal intubation. The laryngeal electromyography (EMG) response, operation time, number of CND, drainage volume, hospital duration, surgical complications, and cosmetic results were evaluated.

RESULTS

From August to October 2015, 10 cases were performed with TOETVA and IONM. All EMG responses were recorded intraoperatively, and no case experienced transient or permanent RLN palsy. The operation time ranged from 130 to 215 minutes in ipsilateral lobectomy with CND, whereas bilateral lobectomy with ipsilateral CND lasted 345 minutes. The number of CNDs ranged from three to eight. The average time of drainage extubation and discharge was 4 days (3-5 days) postoperatively. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results, and no infection was observed at lip wound or in the anterior neck region.

CONCLUSION

IONM system implemented in transoral thyroid surgery was feasible and serviceable in preventing RLN injury. The method of TOETVA shows promise for thyroidectomy with CND due its ideal cosmetic results.

Endoscopic-Assisted Total Thyroidectomy via Lateral Keloid Scar Incision

Thyroidectomy is traditionally performed by the transcervical approach. To avoid or reduce visible scarring, diverse innovative surgical trials have been reported. Here we report a patient who underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy via a lateral keloid scar due to a previous traffic accident. A 30-year-old woman presented with a papillary thyroid carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy was performed via a keloid scar incision. The keloid scar was then revised. The total thyroidectomy was successful, resulting in no acute complications, such as neural injury, hematoma, or seroma formation. The keloid scar healed with excellent cosmetic results and the patient remains free of disease 12 months after excision. Endoscopic total thyroidectomy via a lateral keloid scar incision healed not only the physical disease but also the mental disease.