OBJECTIVETo study on thyroid bilateral gland lobe disease with endoscopic monolateral anterior chest approach.

METHODSTwenty patients experienced thyroid bilateral gland lobe surgery with endoscopic monolateral anterior chest approach; 24 experienced conventional surgery simultaneously and were enrolled in control group. Two groups were compared at surgical style, complications, surgical time, length of stay in hospital, incision cosmetic result and incision pain etc. Criteria of patients selected for thyroid bilateral gland lobe surgery with endoscopic monolateralanterior chest approach:with no surgical history of thyroid or other neck-related diseases and no chemotherapy; diagnosed with benign tumor according to presurgery CT result and thyroid functional examination. Diameter of tumor on both sides should be smaller than 4 cm, one side smaller than 2 cm, located at lower middle part of gland lobe and near to gland surface.

RESULTSPatients in both groups matched in age and sex; scorings on surgical style, hospital stay, postoperative drainage, and postoperative pain were not significantly distinctive. Endoscopic group had less bleeding volumn than conventional group during surgery, better cosmetic results, but longer surgical duration and higher cost of hospitalization. Both groups occurred no permanent glottic paralysis and hypocalcemia, no recurrence. Endoscopic group had one case ecchymoma; one case temporary glottic paralysis; both recovered in one month. Complication incidence in both groups was not significantly distinctive (chi(2) = 2.514, P = 0.201).

CONCLUSIONSGasless endoscopic monolateral anterior chest approach can well treat selected thyroid bilateral gland lobe disease and with a better cosmetic result than conventional surgery.