Operative technique of endoscopic thyroidectomy: a narration of general principles.

Endoscopic thyroidectomy is fast becoming a reality with increasing experience in endocrine surgery. Many techniques of minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy through cervical and extra-cervical routes such as chest wall, transaxillary, trans-oral, post-auricular, trans-luminal approach have been attempted. At present anterior chest wall or trans-axillary routes are favourite extra-cervical routes. In this context, we describe our operative technique of endoscopic thyroidectomy through chest wall to highlight the surgical steps of practical importance.