Is minimally invasive surgery appropriate for small differentiated thyroid carcinomas?

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the surgical completeness of minimally invasive total thyroidectomy for small (<20 mm) differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).

Methods: The subjects of this study were 30 patients who underwent minimally invasive total thyroidectomy as a single procedure. We registered the following postoperative measurements in the LT4 withdrawal period: serum thyroglobulin level, 6-h radioiodine uptake diagnostic test results, and neck ultrasound (US) findings.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma and tuberous sclerosis.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare tumor and accounts for 5-10% of thyroid cancers. Tuberous sclerosis (TS) is a complex autosomal dominant neurocutaneous syndrome. In literature, a few endocrine neoplasias have been reported in association with TS, but never a case of TS associated with sporadic MTC.

A mathematical formula to estimate in vivo thyroid volume from two-dimensional ultrasonography.

Background: The determination of thyroid volume (TV) is required for the management of thyroid diseases. Since two-dimensional ultrasonography (2D-US) has become the accepted method for the assessment of TV (2D-US-TV), we verified whether it accurately assesses postsurgical measured TV (PS-TV).

Methods: In 92 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy by conventional cervicotomy, 2D-US-TV obtained by the ellipsoid volume formula was compared to PS-TV, determined by the Archimedes' principle.

The eligibility of MIVA approach in thyroid surgery.

Introduction: Thyroid size, by preoperative ultrasound evaluation, is a very important criterion of minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) exclusion because the working space provided by the technique is limited. The aim of this work is to verify the suitability of MIVAT and its applicability in clinical practice in patients with a thyroid volume up to 50 ml.

Methods: From January 2003 to February 2006, 33 patients were selected for MIVAT.

The size criteria in minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy.

Background: Thyroid size is a very important criteria of MIVAT exclusion because the working space provided by the technique is limited. The aim of this work has been to verify the suitability of MIVAT and its applicability in clinical practice, not only in patients with a thyroid volume up to 25 ml but also in patients with a thyroid volume included from 25 to 50 ml.

Methods: From January 2003 to February 2006, 33 patients have been selected for MIVAT.

The minimally invasive open video-assisted approach in surgical thyroid diseases.

Background: The targets of minimally invasive surgery (MIVA) could be summarised by: achievement of the same results as those obtained with traditional surgery, less trauma, better post-operative course, early discharge from hospital and improved cosmetic results. The minimally invasive techniques in thyroid surgery can be described as either endoscopic "pure" approach (completely closed approach with or without CO2 insufflation), or "open approach" with central neck mini-incision or "open video-assisted approach". Traditionally, open thyroidectomy requires a 6 to 8 cm, or bigger, transverse wound on the lower neck.