Skip to main content

Defining Minimally Invasive and Remote Access Surgery of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

Minimally invasive and remote access surgery for the thyroid and parathyroid glands has evolved over the last two decades. The emphasis of minimally invasive surgery is limiting the amount of tissue dissection while achieving the same surgical results. Alternatively, the emphasis of remote access surgery is to achieve better cosmetic results by avoiding a cervical scar. Therefore, although minimally invasive surgery and remote access surgery may use similar tools, they ultimately provide different advantages and drawbacks.

The concept of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) has been widely embraced, but includes a variety of operations, and the term may be confusing. The techniques of minimally invasive thyroidectomy (MIT) have been less universally adopted. MIP and MIT encompass an assortment of procedures ranging from simply shortening the cervical incision to using the endoscope and robot. In this chapter we review the evolution of the concepts, principles, and techniques of MIP, MIT, and remote access surgery for the thyroid and parathyroid glands with the intent of giving surgeons a framework to understand these diverse and frequently misunderstood operations.

Keywords

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Recommended Reading

  • Assalia A, Inabnet WB. Endoscopic parathyroidectomy. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2004;37:871–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beyer TD, et al. Parathyroidectomy outcomes according to operative approach. Am J Surg. 2007;193(3):368–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brunaud L, et al. Incision length for standard thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy: when is it minimally invasive? Arch Surg. 2003;138:1140–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Choe JH, Kim SW, Chung KW. Endoscopic thyroidectomy using a new bilateral axillo-breast approach. World J Surg. 2007;31(3):601–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cougard P, et al. Videoendoscopic approach for parathyroid adenomas: results of a prospective study of 100 patients. Ann Chir. 2001;126:314–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferzli GS, et al. Minimally invasive, nonendoscopic thyroid surgery. J Am Coll Surg. 2001;192(5):665–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foley CS, et al. Robotic transaxillary endocrine surgery: a comparison with conventional open technique. Surg Endosc. 2012;26(8):2259–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gagner M, Inabnet 3rd WB. Endoscopic thyroidectomy for solitary thyroid nodules. Thyroid. 2001;11(2):161–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gosnell JE, et al. Minimal access thyroid surgery: technique and report of the first 25 cases. ANZ J Surg. 2004;74(5):330–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henry JF. Minimally Invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery is not a question of length of the incision. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2008;393:621–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henry JF, Sebag F. Lateral endoscopic approach for thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Ann Chir. 2006;131(1):51–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henry JF, et al. Minimally invasive videoscopic parathyroidectomy by lateral approach. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 1999;384:298–301.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henry JF, et al. Indications and results of video-assisted parathyroidectomy by a lateral approach in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgery. 2001;130(6):999–1004.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huscher CSG, et al. Endoscopic right thyroid lobectomy. Surg Endosc. 1997;11:877.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ikeda Y, Takami H. Endoscopic parathyroidectomy. Biomed Pharmacother. 2000;54 Suppl 1:52–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ikeda Y, et al. Endoscopic neck surgery by the axillary approach. J Am Coll Surg. 2000;191(3):336–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ikeda Y, et al. Total endoscopic parathyroidectomy. Biomed Pharmacother. 2002;56:22s–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Inabnet 3rd WB. Robotic thyroidectomy: must we drive a luxury sedan to arrive at our destination safely? Thyroid. 2012;22(10):988–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kang SW, et al. Gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy using trans-axillary approach; surgical outcome of 581 patients. Endocr J. 2009;56(3):361–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karakas E, et al. Transoral thyroid and parathyroid surgery – development of a new transoral technique. Surgery. 2011;150(1):108–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kebebew E, et al. Predictors of single-gland vs. multigland parathyroid disease in primary hyperparathyroidism: a simple and accurate scoring model. Arch Surg. 2006;141(8):777–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kunstman JW, Udelsman R. Superiority of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. Adv Surg. 2012;46:171–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Landry CS, et al. Robot assisted transaxillary surgery (RATS) for the removal of thyroid and parathyroid glands. Surgery. 2011;149(4):549–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lang BH. Minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid operations: surgical techniques and pearls. Adv Surg. 2010;44:185–98.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linos D. Minimally invasive thyroidectomy: a comprehensive appraisal of existing techniques. Surgery. 2011;150:17–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miccoli P, et al. Endoscopic parathyroidectomy by a gasless approach. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 1998;8(4):189–94.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miccoli P, et al. Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy. Am J Surg. 2001;181(6):567–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miccoli P, et al. Minimally invasive video assisted parathyroidectomy (MIVAP). Eur J Surg Oncol. 2003;29(2):188–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Naitoh T, et al. Endoscopic endocrine surgery in the neck. An initial report of endoscopic subtotal parathyroidectomy. Surg Endosc. 1998;12:202–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakajo A, Arima H, Hirata M, et al. Trans-Oral Video-Assisted Neck Surgery (TOVANS). A new transoral technique of endoscopic thyroidectomy with gasless premandible approach. Surg Endosc. 2013;27(4):1105–10.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Norman J, Chheda H, Farrell C. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism: decreasing operative time and potential complications while improving cosmetic results. Am Surg. 1998;64(5):391–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ohgami M, et al. Scarless endoscopic thyroidectomy: breast approach for better cosmesis. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2000;10(1):1–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palazzo FF, Sebag F, Henry JF. Endocrine surgical technique: endoscopic thyroidectomy via the lateral approach. Surg Endosc. 2006;20:339–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Park YL, Han WK, Bae WG. 100 cases of endoscopic thyroidectomy: breast approach. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2003;13(1):20–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Satchie B, Chen H. Radioguided techniques for parathyroid surgery. Asian J Surg. 2005;28(2):77–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shimazu K, et al. Endoscopic thyroid surgery through the axillo-bilateral-breast approach. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2003;13(3):196–201.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu K, Tanaka S. Asian perspective on endoscopic thyroidectomy – a review of 193 cases. Asian J Surg. 2003;26(2):92–100.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu K, Akira S, Tanaka S. Video-assisted neck surgery: endoscopic resection of benign thyroid tumor aiming at scarless surgery on the neck. J Surg Oncol. 1998;69:178–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu K, et al. Video-assisted neck surgery: endoscopic resection of thyroid tumors with a very minimal neck wound. J Am Coll Surg. 1999;188(6):697–703.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sosa JA, Udelsman R. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. Surg Oncol. 2003;12:125–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Terris DJ, Singer MC, Seybt MW. Robotic facelift thyroidectomy: patient selection and technical considerations. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2011;21(4):237–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm T, Metzig A. Video. Endoscopic minimally invasive thyroidectomy: first clinical experience. Surg Endosc. 2010;24(7):1757–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm T, Metzig A. Endoscopic minimally invasive thyroidectomy (eMIT): some clarifications regarding the idea, development, preclinical studies, and application in humans. Surg Endosc. 2010 Aug 24.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Quan-Yang Duh MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Campbell, M.J., Duh, QY. (2014). Defining Minimally Invasive and Remote Access Surgery of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands. In: Terris, D., Singer, M. (eds) Minimally Invasive and Robotic Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9011-1_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9011-1_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9010-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9011-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics