Michio Inukai1, Yoshiyuki Usui. 1. Department of Surgery, National Okayama Medical Center, 1711-1 Tamasu, Okayama 701-1195, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of gasless endoscopic thyroid surgery becoming a standard thyroid operation. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the surgical results of 191 patients who underwent thyroid operations at our hospital between December 1999 and June 2003. We also conducted a survey based on a questionnaire sent to 150 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between December 1999 and September 2002. RESULTS: Although gasless endoscopic thyroid surgery took significantly longer to perform than conventional open surgery, the postoperative stay was significantly shorter and patients had fewer complaints about their surgical scar. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that although there are some challenges to overcome, especially the long operative time, gasless endoscopic thyroid surgery could become a standard procedure.
PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of gasless endoscopic thyroid surgery becoming a standard thyroid operation. METHODS: We retrospectively examined the surgical results of 191 patients who underwent thyroid operations at our hospital between December 1999 and June 2003. We also conducted a survey based on a questionnaire sent to 150 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between December 1999 and September 2002. RESULTS: Although gasless endoscopic thyroid surgery took significantly longer to perform than conventional open surgery, the postoperative stay was significantly shorter and patients had fewer complaints about their surgical scar. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that although there are some challenges to overcome, especially the long operative time, gasless endoscopic thyroid surgery could become a standard procedure.