[Gasless endoscopic selective lateral neck dissection via an anterior chest approach for papillary thyroid carcinomas].

Objective

To assess the safety and curative effect of gasless endoscopic selective lateral neck dissection (GESLND) via an anterior chest approach for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

Eighteen patients with PTC(T1-2N1bM0, size<3.0 cm), having GESLND via an anterior chest approach, were included from November 2008 to December 2016.

Results

GESLND via an anterior chest approach was successfully performed in all 18 PTC patients (seven male and eleven female) with 83.3% of T1 and 16.7% of T2. The mean operative time of selective lateral neck dissection was 73 min (range 51-92 min). The mean of intraoperative bleeding was 61.1 ml (range 30-120 ml). No major complications occurred except one transient hypoparathyroidism. No residual thyroid glands were detected on ultrasonography and thyroglobulin was(0.73±0.16)ng/ml three months postoperatively. The median of follow-up was 54.5 months (range 6-104 months). No recurrence disease was observed in any patient on ultrasonography, computer tomography, thyroglobulin or selective iodine-131 scan during the follow-up period. The cosmetic result and functional preservation was excellent, when the assessments were performed three months postoperatively.

Conclusion

GESLND via an anterior chest approach is feasible and safe for selected PTCs, with superior appearance.