Comparing quality of life between patients undergoing trans-areola endoscopic thyroid surgery and trans-oral endoscopic thyroid surgery

Background Compared with conventional open surgery, endoscopic thyroidectomy via the oral vestibular approach (ETVOA) and endoscopic thyroidectomy via the areola approach (ETAA) avoided scarring of the skin, which may help patients achieve a better quality of life (QOL). However, the benefit of the QOL from this technique has not been adequately investigated, therefore this study compared the QOL outcomes between ETVOA and ETAA. Methods 131 patients were enrolled in this study. ETAA surgery and ETVOA surgery were performed in 74 patients and 57 patients, respectively. These patients were followed up at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks, and their QOL was evaluated using a thyroid surgery-specific questionnaire and a short-form health survey (SF-36). Results There were no differences in clinical characteristics such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and tumor size between the two groups. The volume of intraoperative blood loss, cost of hospitalization, and complications between the two procedures showed no differences. Compared with ETAA, ETVOA has a longer operation time, no drainage, and shorter hospital stay. In the QOL questionnaire, several parameters in ETVOA were better. The satisfaction scores of patients undergoing ETVOA were higher. In addition, the cosmetic satisfaction in patients who received ETOVA was significantly better than that of patients who underwent ETAA. The degree of neck movement disorder in patients with ETVOA was milder. Patients who received ETVOA had higher score on the SF-36. Conclusions The trans-oral endoscopic approach can acquire better cosmetic results and achieved high-level QOL.

Current concepts in thyroid gland surgery: transoral endoscopic and robotic surgical procedures

The increased incidence of thyroid cancer in young females may raise concerns about visible hypertrophic scarring on the center of the neck after thyroid gland surgery. Therefore, endoscopic surgical procedures have attracted significant interest from patients with thyroid cancer, leading to the development of various endoscopic and robotic approaches. Although the cosmetic outcomes of current endoscopic and robotic thyroid surgeries have been excellent, all the procedures still require a large incision and extensive flap elevation. Transoral endoscopic thyroid surgery is a newly developed surgical method performed by inserting an endoscope through a mucosal opening created in the mouth, obviating the need for a skin incision. Additionally, the dissection area is relatively small and no dressings are required. Showering or shaving may resume the day after surgery and the port created within the oral mucous membrane generally heals within one week. Importantly, this approach is markedly less invasive than other endoscopic approaches. Although transoral endoscopic thyroid surgery has not yet been universally accepted, it may emerge as the preferred method for thyroid surgery in the near future.

Quality of life and surgical outcome of ABBA versus EndoCATS endoscopic thyroid surgery: a single center experience

Background Thyroid surgery is often performed, especially in young female patients. As patient satisfaction become more and more important, different extra-cervical “remote” approaches have evolved to avoid visible scars in the neck for better cosmetic outcome. The most common remote approaches are the transaxillary and retroauricular. Aim of this work is to compare Endoscopic Cephalic Access Thyroid Surgery (EndoCATS) and axillo-bilateral-breast approach (ABBA) to standard open procedures regarding perioperative outcome and in addition to control cohorts regarding quality of life (QoL) and patient satisfaction. Methods In a single center, 59 EndoCATS und 52 ABBA procedures were included out of a 2 years period and compared to 225 open procedures using propensity-score matching. For the endoscopic procedures, cosmetic outcome, patient satisfaction and QoL (SF-12 questionnaire) were examined in prospective follow-up. For QoL a German standard cohort and non-surgically patients with thyroid disease were used as controls. Result The overall perioperative outcome was similar for all endoscopic compared to open thyroid surgeries. Surgical time was longer for endoscopic procedures. There were no cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism and no significant differences regarding temporary or permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsies between open and ABBA or EndoCATS procedures (χ2; p = 0.893 and 0.840). For ABBA and EndoCATS, 89.6% and 94.2% of patients were satisfied with the surgical procedure. Regarding QoL, there was an overall significant difference in distribution for physical, but not for mental health between groups (p < 0.001 and 0.658). Both endoscopic groups performed slightly worse regarding physical health, but without significant difference between the individual groups in post hoc multiple comparison. Conclusion Endoscopic thyroid surgery is safe with comparable perioperative outcome in experienced high-volume centers. Patient satisfaction and cosmetic results are excellent; QoL is impaired in surgical patients, as they perform slightly worse compared to German standard cohort and non-surgical patients.

Case report and literature review: Horner syndrome subsequent to endoscopic thyroid surgery

Background Horner syndrome (HS), mainly characterized by symptoms including ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis on the affected face, is a condition that is well documented but rarely reported as a postoperative complication of thyroidectomy, particularly in endoscopic thyroid surgery (ETS). We hereby report a case of HS due to ETS with a brief literature review on this topic. Case presentation A 31-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with an unexpected physical examination finding of two thyroid nodules that were hypoechoic, had an irregular shape, and exhibited calcification. Subsequently, the results of a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy from the thyroid nodules and BRAFV600E mutation further confirmed the malignancy of these nodules. Thus, total thyroidectomy combined with central lymph node dissection (CLND) by ETS via the bilateral axillo-breast approach was performed on this patient. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) concurrent with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). However, this patient developed HS with ptosis in her left eye on postoperative day 3. All symptoms gradually resolved before the 3-month follow-up. Conclusion HS subsequent to ETS is a rare complication. Thus, standardized and appropriate operative procedures, as well as subtle manipulation, are essential in preventing and reducing the occurrence of HS. In addition, the early diagnosis and management of this rare complication are also important for a favorable outcome.

Trans-Oral Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery and Trans-Areola Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery: Which Offers A Better Quality of Life?

Background: Endoscopic thyroidectomy via the oral vestibular approach (ETVOA) and endoscopic thyroidectomy via the areola approach (ETAA) are becoming more favored in China. Compared with conventional open surgery, both methods avoid the scarring on the neck, but only ETVOA obviates scarring of the skin, which may helps patients achieve a better quality of life (QOL). However, the benefit of the QOL from this technique has not been adequately investigated, therefore this study compared the QOL outcomes between ETVOA and ETAA. Methods: We enrolled 131 patients in this study. ETAA surgery and ETVOA surgery were performed in 74 patients and 57 patients, respectively. These patients were followed up at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks, and their QOL was evaluated using a thyroid surgery-specific questionnaire and a short-form health survey (SF-36). Results: There were no differences in clinical characteristics such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and tumor size between the two groups. The volume of intraoperative blood loss, cost of hospitalization, and complications between the two procedures showed no differences. Compared with ETAA, ETVOA has a longer operation time, no drainage, and shorter hospital stay. In the QOL questionnaire, several parameters in ETVOA were better. The satisfaction scores of patients undergoing ETVOA were higher. In addition, the cosmetic satisfaction in patients who received ETOVA was significantly better than that of patients who underwent ETAA. The degree of neck movement disorder in patients with ETVOA was milder. Patients who received ETVOA had higher score on the SF-36. Conclusions: Compared with ETAA, ETVOA can acquire better cosmetic results and make patients quick return to normal life.Patients who underwent ETVOA achieved high-level QOL.