Minimally invasive surgery for thyroid small nodules: Preliminary report

Cytological assessment of cold thyroid nodules cannot exclude malignancy in case of follicular tumors. Many follicular nodules undergo surgery althoug h most of them later on prove to be benign. We report a new minimally invas ive video-assisted approach (MIVA) for the treatment of thyroid lesions wit h a diameter minor than 3 cm. Ten females and 2 males (mean age: 37 yr) wit h a cold thyroid nodule and a cytological diagnosis of microfollicular tumo r were selected for MIVA hemythyroidectomy. The procedure was carried out t hrough a 15 mm incision with needlescopic instruments and a 30 infinity 5-m m endoscope. Mean operative time was 87 min (range 60-120). No complication s were registered. Cosmetical result was excellent in all patients. MIVA he mythyroidectomy is safe and effective; indications and limits of this new p rocedure require further studies. (J. Endocrinol. Invest. 22: 849-851, 1999 ) (C) 1999, Editrice Kurtis.