Abstract
This overview has been prepared to assist members of the Greek Society of Endocrine Surgeons (GSES) in making definitions and recommendations concerning minimally invasive techniques employed in thyroid surgery. It is based on a review of the medical literature and specialist opinion. It should not be regarded as a definitive assessment of the procedure. The international literature was reviewed and 467 relevant articles concerning minimal invasive thyroid surgery were retrieved. All studies were carefully analyzed in order to help members of GSES to globally recognize the subject, define it and issue guidelines. In a tentative to define minimal invasive thyroidectomy (MIT), we could say that it is any thyroidectomy performed via a small incision or through holes aiming to minimize tissue damage, which means less pain, less traumatic surface with acceptable complication rate. By definition, MITs include minimal invasive video-assisted thyroidectomies (MIVAT), loupes-assisted thyroidectomies (LATE) and transoral thyroidectomies (TOT). In order to sustain a safe and high quality surgical practice, the indications and limitations of MIVAT/LATE are to be considered. Most authors agree that reoperation and previous irradiation of the neck are factors rendering MIIVAT/LATE impossible to perform. With regard to the size of the predominant nodule, everybody seems to concur that nodules less than 3cm are eligible for MIVAT/LATE, whereas in terms of the total volume of the excised gland, most authors would agree that any gland with a volume less than 20ml is eligible. Finally, during the last decade MIVAT/LATE have become accepted techniques for treating thyroid cancer. Where experienced surgeons are involved, MIVAT/LATE can be performed for tumours up to T4aN1a. However, most authors seem to suggest to less experienced surgeons that oncologic thyroidectomies be performed up to T1N0.
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Papavramidis, T. Defining and limiting minimal invasive thyroid surgery. Hellenic J Surg 87, 89–91 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-015-0189-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13126-015-0189-2