Video-assisted loboisthmectomy by the subclavicular approach. A case report

Introduction

The golden age of minimally invasive surgery started a few years after the introduction of laparoscopy to abdominal surgery. Similarly but a bit later, development of minimally invasive techniques in thyroid and parathyroid surgery started.

In 1996 Gagner [1] published the first report on endoscopic neck surgery – subtotal parathyroidectomy. In 1998 Bellantone et al. [2] reported a video-assisted thyroid lobectomy. In 1999, Miccoli et al. [3, 4], who were among the earliest pioneers of minimally invasive video-assisted thyroid surgery (MIVAT) in Europe, published a paper on the resection of small thyroid nodules by minimally invasive means. In 2000, Ikeda and co-authors published a paper on the armpit approach in MIVAT and Ohgami et al. wrote about the breast approach [5, 6]. The advantages of minimally invasive thyroid surgery compared to the classic approach include reduced blood loss, decreased postoperative pain, and less discomfort and neck paraesthesia [6]. One of the advantages of such an approach considered by patients, particularly by women, is improved postoperative cosmetic outcome [6].

The aim of this study was to assess feasibility and to prove better cosmesis with MIVAT thyroid lobectomy via the subclavicular approach.

Case report

A 19-year-old female patient was referred to us due to a visible tumour and discomfort in the left side of the neck. Thyroid ultrasound scan (UST), blood tests (thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and anti-tyreoperoxidase (ATPO)) as well as fine-needle aspiration biopsy with cytology (FNAC) were performed. Intraoperative pathological examination of the excised specimen was carried out.

Thyroid ultrasound scan showed the right thyroid lobe of 13.8 mm × 15 mm × 36.4 mm with volume of 3.95 cm³, with normal echogenicity and no pathological findings. The left lobe was 20.3 mm × 17 mm × 38 mm with volume of 6.75 cm³. There was an isoechogenic node of 13 mm × 23 mm occupying the majority of the left lobe and growing into the isthmus, with cystic degeneration and increased hypoechogenicity. There was no neck lymphadenopathy. Thyroid function was normal with the following values: TSH = 0.90 mIU/l, FT3 = 4.70 pmol/l, ATPO = 0.00 IU/ml. The FNAC showed changes typical for benign thyroid nodes.

In the presented case the main indications for surgery were the patient’s discomfort and poor cosmesis. In order to optimize the cosmetic outcome, MIVAT with incision in the subclavicular area was chosen. The final pathological diagnosis was nodular hyperplasia of thyroid with benign macropapillary formations.

A 3 cm incision via skin, subcutaneous tissue and platysma was carried out below the left clavicle. The left sternocleidomastoid muscle was dissected. We used a 30-degree, 5 mm Karl Storz scope, 6 cm long urological hook, and video-assisted surgery instruments proposed by Miccoli (19 cm long Miccoli blunt suction elevator with stilettos and finger covered hole, 19 cm long and 2 mm in diameter Miccoli blunt elevator). The anterior neck muscles were dissected from the inner side of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Intraoperative findings confirmed a large nodule almost completely filling the left thyroid lobe. The lateral (Kocher) thyroid vein was coagulated and cut using a harmonic scalpel. The left inferior thyroid artery and, afterwards, the superior thyroid artery were with the harmonic scalpel. The thyroid lobe was separated from the trachea and removed while preserving both parathyroid glands and the left recurrent laryngeal nerve thanks to the use of the harmonic scalpel (Figure 1). Intraoperative pathology examination confirmed nodular thyroid hyperplasia. There was no drain left. The skin was closed with intracutaneous 5.0 absorbable colourless monocryl suture. The weight of the removed lobe was 7.6 g. Operating time was 110 min.

There were no intra- or postoperative complications. Both voice folds were adequately mobile on the ENT assessment on the first postoperative day. The patient was discharged home on the second postoperative day after assessment (Figure 2 A-B). The final pathology report provided the diagnosis of nodular thyroid hyperplasia with benign macropapillary formations. During the 2-month follow-up the patient remained in a good condition. The scar below the left clavicle was barely visible, with a length of 2.5 cm (Figure 3).

Discussion

The advantages of all minimally invasive procedures are similar and include reduced postoperative pain, smaller blood loss, and faster social reintegration [6-8]. In thyroid surgery, the major advantage of a minimally invasive approach versus traditional is a better cosmetic effect [1, 5-7, 9-12]. The majority of patients (9 of 10) with thyroid disorders are women. Traditionally, the thyroidectomy incision is made in the visible, uncovered area of the neck. The best cosmetic effect following endoscopic thyroidectomy can be achieved via the axillary or breast approach, but the popularity of these operations is not high because of the need for special instruments and a long learning period [7-9, 13, 14]. The most common cause of poor cosmesis after conventional thyroidectomy is a scar that moves during swallowing due to adhesion of the platysma to the skin and the front neck muscles after a large dissection of tissues. After the MIVAT surgery, there are no adhesions between the scar and the front neck muscles. There are also reduced sensory disturbances and discomfort in the neck in comparison to traditional thyroidectomy [15, 16]. The incision hidden in the subclavicular area that is usually covered with clothes further improves the cosmetic effect of the MIVAT. Importantly, only one lobe of the thyroid can be removed via the incision in the subclavicular area; thus patients with benign

thyroid changes should be selected and limited to those suitable for the MIVAT operation who fulfil specific conditions: thyroid volume up to 25 ml, node size up to 30 mm, no previous thyroid surgery and no autoimmune thyroiditis.

Conclusions

Thyroid lobectomy performed with the use of video-assisted methods via the subclavicular area that is usually covered with clothes is feasible and provides a good cosmetic effect in carefully selected patients.

References

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