Patient and Surgeon Candidacy for Transoral Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery

Endoscopic thyroidectomy via chest-collarbone approach versus conventional open thyroidectomy: a retrospective comparative study

OBJECTIVE(S)

Endoscopic thyroidectomy, such as axillary, areola and transoral approaches, offer the advantage of a good cosmetic outcome, but it requires a wider dissection field compared to open thyroidectomy. Recently, chest-collarbone approach thyroidectomy has been widely developed in China because of its shorter anatomical route compared to other endoscopic approaches. This study retrospectively evaluated endoscopic thyroidectomy via chest-collarbone approach in patients with thyroid nodules to determine its feasibility.

METHODS

A total of 46 patients with thyroid disease who underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy between January 2022 and December 2022 were enrolled in the study and randomly matched to patients with thyroid disease who underwent open thyroidectomy at the same time based on nodule size and pathology. Postoperative bleeding, hoarseness situation, hospital stay, postoperative drainage volume, laryngeal nerve palsy, hypoparathyroidism and wound infection were assessed in both groups.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy successfully and two patients changed to open thyroidectomy. The amount of postoperative drainage for the endoscopic thyroidectomy group was 102.78 ± 28.04 mL, and which was 71.91 ± 19.20 for open thyroidectomy group (p < 0.001). The postoperative hospital stay for the endoscopic thyroidectomy group was 8.78 ± 2.57 days, and which was 7.22 ± 1.13 for open thyroidectomy group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in postoperative bleeding, hoarseness situation, and wound infection between the two groups. Laryngeal nerve palsy, supraclavicular nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism were not observed in any patient during this study.

CONCLUSION

Chest-collarbone endoscopic thyroid surgery is acceptable. This treatment improves in a good cosmetic outcome in patients with thyroid disease. To assess patients with preoperative nodule size and nature of the case is the impact of the success rate, which is particularly important.

Clinical efficacy of gasless submental-transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy with Kirschner wire suspension for papillary thyroid carcinoma

PURPOSE

To analyze the clinical efficacy of gasless submental-transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy (ETE) with Kirschner wire suspension in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODS

Retrospectively, we enrolled 112 patients with PTC who received treatment in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between December 2020 and December 2021. Among them, 60 cases (laparoscopic group) received gasless submental-transoral ETE with Kirschner wire suspension, and the other 52 cases (open group) were treated by traditional thyroidectomy. Surgical indicators (operative time (OT), intraoperative blood loss (IBL), and postoperative drainage volume (DV)), number of central lymph node (CLN) dissected, length of hospital stay (LOS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, aesthetic satisfaction score, and complications were observed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the two groups in OT (55.73±5.49 min vs. 55.00±7.79 min), IBL (20.67±7.75 mL vs. 23.08±6.24 mL), postoperative DV (33.17±15.09 mL vs. 39.52±19.22 mL), number of CLN dissected (5.54±2.75 vs. 5.43±3.15), LOS (3.63±0.69 d vs. 3.68±0.57 d), postoperative VAS score (3.19±1.07 points vs. 3.38±1.09 points), and total complication rate (3.85% vs. 8.33%; all P>0.05). However, the laparoscopic group exhibited a significantly higher aesthetic satisfaction score than the open group (7.10±1.46 points vs. 6.42±1.46 points; P<0.05). In addition, patients in both groups were followed up for at least 3 months, and no recurrence or metastasis was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Gasless submental-transoral ETE with Kirschner wire suspension offers comparable curative effect as traditional thyroidectomy and safety, but it provides superior esthetic results, making it a viable treatment option for patients with PTC.

Synergic evacuation device helps smoke control during endoscopic thyroid surgery

BACKGROUND

Surgical plumes in small cavities, such as transoral endoscopic thyroid surgery, have never been satisfactorily resolved. We aimed to study the use of a smoke evacuation system and evaluate its efficacy, including the field of view and operating time.

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively reviewed 327 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy. They were separated into 2 groups based on whether the smoke evacuation system was used. To reduce the possible experience bias, only patients 4 months before and after implementing the evacuation system were included. Recorded endoscopic videos were evaluated, including the field of view, the incidence of scope clearance, and time spent during air-pocket creation.

RESULTS

Overall, there were 64 patients with a median age of 43.59 years and a median body mass index of 22.87 kg/m², including 54 women, 21 thyroid cancers, and 61 hemithyroidectomies. The operative duration was comparable between the groups. The group where the evacuation system was used scored more as good in terms of endoscopic views (8/32, 25% vs 1/32, 3.13%, P = .01), fewer incidences of endoscope lens pull out for clearance (3.5 vs 6.0 times, P < .01), less time for clear view after energy device activation (2.67 vs 5.00 seconds, P < .01), and less time spent (8.67 vs 12.38 minutes, P < .01) during air-pocket creation.

CONCLUSION

In conjunction with the synergy function of energy devices, evacuators enhance the field of view and optimize the time spent in the real clinical setting of low-pressure and small-space endoscopic thyroid procedures, in addition to the benefit of reducing smoke harm.

Modified Larssen solution (MLS)-fixed cadaver model for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) education: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Training formats for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) are limited. Our aim was to create and investigate a TOETVA training model for general and ENT surgeons.

METHODS

A total of 15 modified Larssen solution (MLS) human cadavers were used in the study. A day duration TOETVA human cadaver workshops were offered in two years consecutive. Post-training verbal and online questionnaires were applied to all trainers to evaluate course structure and program, organoleptic characteristics of MLS-fixed human cadavers, and TOETVA training effectiveness. Cost assessment is included in the study.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight participants, i.e., 14 trainers and 84 hands-on (HO) and observer (OB) trainees, attended the workshops, completed the tasks assigned, and fulfilled the questionnaires. Implementation of all steps of TOETVA was approved positively by 89.8% of all participants, 94.4% of HO, and 83.3% of OB trainees. Regarding human cadaver and teaching quality, 10.8 ± 0.8 (10-12) human cadavers were "practical" by 13.2 (94.5%) of the trainers, and by 33.3 (92.5%) of the trainees for all steps of TOETVA. The cadavers were stored for 4.53 years and used 6.27 times repeatedly for endoscopic workshops and research studies. TOETVA workshop cost with repeatable use of MLS-fixed human cadaver is half of other performed TOETVA workshops.

CONCLUSIONS

A TOETVA human cadaver workshop model has not been reported yet. Our findings suggest the feasibility of MLS-fixed human cadaver model for training of TOETVA, preserve the organoleptic properties necessary for the implementation of surgical steps, and reduce the cost.

Cannula Fracture during Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach: Causes and Prevention

In the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA), three oral vestibular incisions are used to access the thyroid. This approach leaves no scar on the body surface; however, unexpected complications may occur. Three patients (two women, one man) underwent TOETVA using the standard three-port technique. Broken cannulas of the 12 mm central port were noted in all cases. All cannulas broke on the ventral side of the distal shaft. The fracture lines were 3–4 cm in length, with some fragments scattered throughout the operative field and oral cavity. The fractures were caused by compression against the mandible while tilting the cannula during surgical manipulation. Male sex, short stature, and protruding chin may be risk factors for cannula fracture in TOETVA. Measures should be taken to prevent this complication, particularly in high-risk patients.

Working Space Creation in Transoral Thyroidectomy: Pearls and Pitfalls

Simple Summary

Transoral thyroidectomy accesses the thyroid gland through three incisions in the oral vestibule. The cosmetic outcome was excellent since no scar was observed on the body surface. However, it is challenging to create a working space using this new approach. Unconventional but severe complications can also occur. Our review summarizes the tips regarding working space creation in transoral thyroidectomy and tricks for preventing complications.

Abstract

Transoral thyroidectomy is a novel technique that uses three small incisions hidden in the oral vestibule to remove the thyroid gland. It provides excellent cosmetic results and outcomes comparable to the open approach. One of the main obstacles for this technique is the creation of a working space from the lip and chin to the neck. The anatomy of the perioral region and the top-down surgical view are both unfamiliar to general surgeons. As a result, inadequate manipulation might easily occur and would lead to several unconventional complications, such as mental nerve injury, carbon dioxide embolism, and skin perforation, which are rarely observed in open surgery. Herein, we summarize the basic concepts, techniques, and rationales behind working space creation in transoral thyroidectomy to assist surgeons in obtaining an adequate surgical field while eliminating preventable complications.

Patient Eligibility for Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach in an Endemic Region

Objective

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a scarless method that enables thyroidectomyusing natural orifice of the body. The opinion which is even common among TOETVA performing surgeons is that this surgery involves a small percentage of thyroidectomy applied patients. In this study, based on the currently accepted exclusion criteria, we aimed to determine what percentage of patients, who underwent thyroidectomy in an endemic area are actually suitable for TOETVA.

Methods

Between January 2017 and December 2019, 1197 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for thyroid pathology in our clinic were analyzed retrospectively. Pre-operative evaluations were made according to the current exclusion criteria and as a result, patients with no previous neck surgery, no history of radiotherapy, no retrosternal thyroid extension, and none lymph node dissection operation been made and whose thyroid gland diameter is <10 cm and gland volume is not more than 45 ml, malignant nodule diameter is <2 cm, and benign nodule diameter is <4 cm are involved to this study by being considered appropriate for TOETVA procedure.

Results

According to the criteria, 513 patients (42.8%) were found suitable for TOETVA. A total of 421 (82%) of these patients were female and 92 (18%) were male. The mean age was 46.2±13.2. A total of 192 (37%) of these patients were operated due to the benign reasons, and 321 (63%) of these patients operated due to the malignancy or suspicion of malignancy. Average nodule size was 1.9 cm, and the average thyroid volume was 23.8 ml among benign patients. Whereas among malignant patients, the average nodule size was 1.7 cm and the average thyroid volume was 21.8 ml. A total of 462 (90.1%) of the patients were applied to the total thyroidectomy and 51 (9.9%) of the patients were applied to the hemithyroidectomy. In the same period, 29 patients operated through TOETVA and 4 patients operated through bilateral axillary breast approach thyroidectomy. When the final pathology, results of the patients were examined, papillary thyroid carcinoma was seen in 301 (58.7%) patients, benign pathologies were seen in 192 (37.4%) patients, and 20 (3.9%) patients were diagnosed with other pathologies (follicular thyroid carcinoma, poorly differentiated carcinoma and Hürthle cell neoplasia, etc.).

Conclusion

Although "patient willingness" factor could not be included in the study, TOETVA eligible patient repository is wider contrary to popular belief. In our humble opinion, TOETVA method is going to pursue its spread and become a part of the routine surgical training session due to its effectiveness in terms of credibility in today's world where cosmetic concerns gradually gain prominence.

Practice Patterns and Learning Curve in Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach With Neuromonitoring

OBJECTIVES

Intraoperative neuromonitoring has not been routinely applied in early experience with the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA). Because the preparation and surgical interventions are much different from conventional thyroidectomies, most endocrine surgeons willing to adapt to TOETVA lack access to information regarding the practice pattern and proficiency in the learning curve. We aimed to investigate the outcomes and to define the learning curve for TOETVA in this study.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was used on patients who underwent TOETVA at our hospital between December 2016 and July 2019. The cumulative sum graphic model was used to implement the learning curve as a surrogate for procedural proficiency.

RESULTS

The 119 patients had a mean age of 44.65 years and a mean body mass index of 22.49 k/m², including 107 women, 20 thyroiditis, and 106 hemithyroidectomy. The learning curve revealed two phases, an initial (35 cases) and a mature (84 cases) phase, for surgeons based on operation time (144.2 vs. 114.2 min, p = 0.0001). There were more bilateral thyroidectomies (15.5% vs. 0, p = 0.0100), larger indicated nodules (6.06 cm³vs. 3.32 cm³, p = 0.0468), or larger thyroids to resect (16.38 cm³vs. 8.75 cm³, p = 0.0001) in the mature phase. Procedure-related complications decreased significantly in the mature phase in comparison to the initial phase (3.57% vs. 31.43%, p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The learning curve of TOETVA with neuromonitoring is 35 cases. With the accumulation of proficiency, the indications will expand. Step-by-step improvements from the experience of each case can reduce procedure-related complications.