Endoscopic endocrine surgery in the neck. An initial report of endoscopic subtotal parathyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND

The fervor surrounding minimally invasive surgery, which began with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the late 1980s, has spread to nearly all surgical specialties.

METHODS

After experimental success in an animal model, we recently performed our first case of endoscopic subtotal parathyroidectomy in a 37-year-old man. The patient, who had a history of severe pancreatitis and pancreatic calculi, was diagnosed as having hyperparathyroidism. The option of endoscopic parathyroidectomy was proposed and accepted. After placing the first trocar directly under the platysma, a space was created by bluntly dissecting with the tip of a 5-mm endoscopic camera. Four parathyroid glands were identified, and after a frozen-section diagnosis of parathyroid hyperplasia, three-and-one-half of the glands were resected.

RESULTS

The patient developed slight hypercarbia and subcutaneous emphysema during the procedure, but no other problems were noted. His postoperative course was otherwise unremarkable.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first case reported of an endoscopic parathyroidectomy. This experience makes us optimistic about the future of endoscopic neck surgery.