Bariatric Surgeon Kerala Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Hernia Surgeon Tummy Tuck

Thyroid Surgery – Scarless Solutions | Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Thyroid Surgery: The thyroid gland is situated in the neck and secretes thyroxine which is very essential for all organ function. Thyroid disorders are common in women and it is of two types: Functional – Hypo (reduced function) and Hyperthyroidism (excess of thyroid hormone). Hypothyroidism can be managed by thyroxine tab, generally 100 microgram taken with bed coffee. The hyper function generally can be treated with anti-thyroid drugs. If it is not getting controlled with drugs or if associated thyroid enlargement is there, one has to resort to thyroid gland removal (thyroidectomy).

Thyroid can enlarge during menarche (starting of menstrual cycle) and pregnancy which is called as physiological goiter, which will subside once the extra demand is over. Swelling (nodule) formation is a common problem. The nodule can be cancerous or noncancerous (benign). Thyroid tumours are common in women and they would like to have treatment options with a definite cosmetic appeal. Generally when someone is diagnosed with a single nodule or multiple nodules they need to be evaluated by ultrasound scan of neck and if needed fine needle aspiration cytology. The USG features or FNAC is suspicious of a malignancy then surgery is the solution, even at any size of the swelling. Even if the USG and FNAC suggest benign swelling the option of thyroidectomy needs to be sought if the nodule is more than 4 cm. Depending on the physical examination, USG and FNAC findings surgeon decides to offer a hemithyroidectomy (removal of full lobe on the side of lesion and isthmus) or total thyroidectomy.

Thyroid Surgery – Different Techniques

Open Thyroid Surgery/Thyroidectomy or Conventional Thyroidectomy

Open Thyroid Surgery Cut made at Neck — Scar on Open Thyroidectomy
or Open Thyroid Surgery

The surgical solution available in most of the places is open thyroidectomy, which involves a large transverse cut across the lower part of the neck. This definitely leads to an unsighty scar which is not acceptable, especially for women. (Picture 1)

Lateral and Robotic Thyroidectomy

The lateral thyroidectomy by cutting on sides of neck for each side lobe removal – though better than full open surgery – is also not a desirable one.

Robotic surgery does not give any advantage on the cosmetic aspect of the thyroid surgery.

Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Endoscopic Instruments passed through the incisions at axilla — Endoscopic Thyroidectomy
Incisions near axilla

Endoscopic thyroidectomy – the keyhole or minimally invasive technique is a very good alternative to other methods. It gives excellent cosmetic outcome especially when done by an axillary approach. It gives equal or even a better surgical outcome as far as the actual thyroid nodule management is considered. There are other less preferred endoscopic approaches like sternal and breast approach.

Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Procedure

The procedure of endoscopic thyroidectomy by axillary approach involves the following steps. A 10-mm trocar placement in the axilla towards neck for the telescope; which initially helps in creating the plane and visualization of structures with magnification, precision and clarity.

Then two 5-mm trocars are introduced in to the dissected space (subplatysmal) which are used as working ports. We use a less heat generating energy source the harmonic scalpel instead of cautery for tissue dissection.

Once space is created in the neck, the sternomastoids and strap muscles gets exposed. We can open the investing layer in midline and reach the thyroid gland. The gland is mobilized by blunt dissection and vital structures identified. The recurrent laryngeal nerve (important for respiration) the superior laryngeal nerve (for voice) and parathyroids (for calcium metabolism) with their blood supply will be preserved. The blood vessels are divided and gland detached from trachea. A specimen bag is used to place the thyroid and removed by dilating 10 mm trocar. For a total thyoidectomy one will have to put additional trocars on the opposite side and do the same steps on that side as well.

The investing layer is sutured back, drain is placed and the trocar sites closed. Patient is asked to be in the hospital for 24 hours only and can resume all kinds of activities in a few days.

Incisions near the axilla in Endoscopic Thyroidectomy — Endoscopic Thyroidectomy / Thyroid Surgery
Smalls scars at Axilla

Advantages of Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

These patients will have less wound related problem compared to open surgery group. The cosmetic outcome is such excellent that the small wounds in axilla heals with minimal scarring and gets covered with small inner-wears.

The earlier belief was that the endoscopic, no neck scar option for thyroid swellings are applicable to lesions of less than 4 cm size. But we have observed that swellings of size of even 12 – 15 cm can be tackled very successfully through this method. The only pre-requisite will be a surgeon with good experience, in both laparoscopic surgeries and thyroid surgeries.

Thyroid removed via Endoscopic Thyroidectomy — Thyroid Specimen removed via Endoscopic Thyroidectomy or Endoscopic Thyroid Surgery

The complications of this surgery are very similar to that of open surgery proving that it is a much desirable option. Any kind of pathologies like benign or cancerous nodules, thyoiditis can be safely tackled by endoscopic thyroidectomy. Completion of thyroidectomy is much more easier with this technique as one do not dissect the other side while performing the opposite side. Lymph node clearance when indicated can also be comfortably performed by this route.

Dr. R. Padmakumar is one of the Best Hernia Surgeon in India. He has been changing lives through Keyhole Surgery. He has got more than 30 years of hands-on experience in laparoscopic Surgery in major hospitals across India and has completed more than 7000 cases of Laparoscopic Hernia Surgeries. Dr. Padmakumar has trained more than 300 surgeons from all over the world the art of laparoscopic surgery especially Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery. Dr. Padmakumar is also hailed as one of the Best Bariatric Surgeon in India & UAE. He is renowned for new and improved treatment techniques and the first in the World to perform Scarless Bariatric Surgery with Tummy Tuck / Abdominoplasty. He is also one of the very few thyroid surgeons in India doing Endoscopic Thyroidectomy (scarless thyroid surgery).