Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy via chest-breast approachand summarize the operation skill. Method The clinical data of 40 cases performed endoscopic thyroidectomy via chest-breast approach from August 2010 to August 2012 in this hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results The endoscopic thyroidectomies via chest-breast approach were successfully performed in all 40 patients without conversion to open surgery， massive haemorrhage， hypercapnia， severe subcutaneous emphysema， cutaneous necrosis on chest，permanent impairment of recurrent laryngeal nerve， and permanent hypoparathyroidism. One case of hoarseness was found on 2d after operation， who returned to normal after symptomatic treatment. One case of numbness in the extremitieshappened on day 2 after operation and the symptom was relieved through intravenous and oral administration of calcium treatment in 3d. One case of cutaneous tightness on chest happened， and it was spontaneous remission in a month. The operation time was （102±28.4） min （55-182 min）， intraoperative bleeding was （46±16.6） mL （30-106 mL）， and the drainage tube was removed postoperative 2-7d with an average （4±2.2） d， the postoperative hospitalization was 3-8 d with an average （4±1.1） d. All of the cases were followed-up after operation without low calcium， low parathyroid hormone， hoarseness， and local goiter recurrence. Two cases of hypoparathyroidism returned to normal after oral thyroxine dose adjustment. All the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results. Conclusions The endoscopic thyroidectomy via chest-breast approach is safe and feasible with good cosmetic results. The subcutaneous Y tunnel， the “upper yellow middle white lower red” appearance on the chest， and the landmark of inverse trapezium on the neck are the key points for creation of operation compartment. Sufficient exposure， stepwise procedure， blunt dissection combined with sharp dissection in the precise gap are the surgical skills for endoscopic thyroidectomy.
Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of removal of benign substernal goiter through cervical approach and summarize the operation skill. Methods The clinical data of 85 cases diagnosed as benign substernal goiter from August 2002 to October 2011 in this hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results The removal of benign substernal goiters in all 85 cases were performed through cervical approach without perioperative death，respiratory tract obstruction，massive haemorrhage，pneumothorax，hemothorax，chylus leakage，permanent impairment of recurrent laryngeal nerve，and permanent hypoparathyroidism. Three cases of hoarseness were found on 1-3d after operation，which returned to normal after symptomatic treatment. Four cases of numbness in the extremities and one case of mild convulsion happened，the symptoms were relieved through intravenous and oral administration of calcium treatment in 3-7d. The drainage volume was 35-220ml with （68±4.9） ml. The drainage tube was removed on postoperative 2-6d with an average 4.2d. Eighty-two patients were followed-up in 2 years after operation，no low calcium，low parathyroid hormone，hoarseness，and local goiter recurrence occurred. Two cases of hypothyroidism returned to normal after oral thyroxine dose adjustment. Conclusions Removal of the downward benign substernal goiter through cervical approach is safe and feasible. Sufficient exposure，stepwise procedure，blunt dissection in the precise gap，and combination of lifting with upbearing are the surgical skills for success.
ObjectiveTo explore the safety, effectiveness and minimally invasive cosmetic evaluation results of treatment for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by video-assisted lateral neck dissection (VALND) or open lateral neck dissection (OLND).MethodsThe clinical data of patients with PTC who received surgical treatment in the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from June 2015 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The data of 94 cases in the VALND group (n=47) and the OLND group (n=47) were finally included in this study, and perioperative conditions and minimally invasive cosmetic evaluation results between the two groups were studied.ResultsThere were no statistical differences of lateral metastatic lymph node numbers, operative time, postoperative drainage volume, drainage tube removal time and postoperative hospitalization days between the two groups (P>0.05). The lateral retrieved lymph node numbers, intraoperative blood loss, the degree of cervical paresthesia and the degree of cosmetic satisfaction in the VALND group were significantly better than those in the OLND group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference of surgical complications between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionWithout sacrificing surgical safety and effectiveness, VALND has better cosmetic effect and less neck trauma than OLND, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.