Minimally invasive surgery for thyroid small nodules: preliminary report.

Cytological assessment of cold thyroid nodules cannot exclude malignancy in case of follicular tumors. Many follicular nodules undergo surgery although most of them later on prove to be benign. We report a new minimally invasive video-assisted approach (MIVA) for the treatment of thyroid lesions with a diameter minor than 3 cm. Ten females and 2 males (mean age: 37 yr) with a cold thyroid nodule and a cytological diagnosis of microfollicular tumor were selected for MIVA hemythyroidectomy. The procedure was carried out through a 15 mm incision with needlescopic instruments and a 30 infinity 5-mm endoscope. Mean operative time was 87 min (range 60-120). No complications were registered. Cosmetical result was excellent in all patients. MIVA hemythyroidectomy is safe and effective; indications and limits of this new procedure require further studies.