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Endoscope-assisted facelift thyroid surgery: an initial experience using a new endoscopic technique

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Abstract

Background

A new approach to modifying facelift incision was recently developed for robotic thyroid surgery that seemed to be advantageous over other existing approaches. In this study, we aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of the facelift approach not only for robotic thyroid surgery, but also for endoscope-assisted thyroid surgery.

Methods

Endoscope-assisted facelift thyroid lobectomy was performed for 11 patients with papillary microcarcinoma.

Results

All 11 operations were successfully performed endoscopically. This approach through a modified facelift incision provided safe dissection of the laryngeal nerves and exposed an adequate working space. We identified and preserved all neighboring critical structures (parathyroid gland and superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves) during surgery. The operative duration for simple thyroid lobectomy with central lymph node dissection in 11 patients was 120–180 min (average duration: 140 min). Sensory change around the earlobe occurred in three patients and was recovered within 2 months after surgery in all patients. No patient displayed laryngeal nerve palsy or a low-pitched voice.

Conclusions

The facelift approach seems to provide a shorter and more direct route to the thyroid, requiring minimal dissection, and an adequate workspace not only for robotic surgery but also for endoscopic surgery. It is worthwhile to develop and refine the surgical techniques of endoscopic facelift thyroid surgery.

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Disclosures

Drs. Jun-Ook Park, Sang-Yeon Kim, Byung-Joon Chun, Young-Hoon Joo, Kwang-Jae Cho, Young Hak Park, Min-Sik Kim, and Dong-Il Sun have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Haeundae Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, South Korea

    Jun-Ook Park

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul St Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 137-701, South Korea

    Sang-Yeon Kim, Byung-Joon Chun, Young-Hoon Joo, Kwang-Jae Cho, Young Hak Park, Min-Sik Kim & Dong-Il Sun

Authors
  1. Jun-Ook Park
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  2. Sang-Yeon Kim
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  3. Byung-Joon Chun
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  4. Young-Hoon Joo
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  5. Kwang-Jae Cho
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  6. Young Hak Park
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  7. Min-Sik Kim
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  8. Dong-Il Sun
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dong-Il Sun.

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Park, JO., Kim, SY., Chun, BJ. et al. Endoscope-assisted facelift thyroid surgery: an initial experience using a new endoscopic technique. Surg Endosc 29, 1469–1475 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-014-3826-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-014-3826-x

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