OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of cervical approach for goiter in posterior mediastinum. METHOD: According to the mechanism that goiter filed into posterior mediastinum and the dissection of thyroid gland and mediastinum, we designed the following surgery principles (1) From top to bottom. (2) Find out recurrent nerve at the place where it enters larynx, then dissect recurrent nerve as long as possible and protect it carefully, meanwhile, search thyroid vessels along recurrent nerve. (3) To avoid and uncontrollable serious hemorrhage in the operation, all normal and aberrant blood vessels must be ligated cautiously, and avoid pulling great vessels in the thoracic part. (4) Separating tumor of hemorrhage under surgical capsule. Bluntly, it can avoid damage important structure in most occasions. (5) If the tumor of hemorrhage was difficult to be separated from the surrounding structure, ask thoracic surgeon for cooperation. RESULT: Two operations case were operated under the above guideline successfully, and the operations were performed with satisfactory effect, minimal invasion, rapid recovery and low medical cost. CONCLUSION Cervical approach for goiter in mediastinum posterior is an ideal method of surgery, but it has following operative indication. (1) imaging date indicate that tumor of posterior septum is not connected to the surrounding structure. (2) It is not accompanied with superior vena cava syndrome. (3) The size of large thyroid tumor of posterior septum could be decreased by taking out the center part of tumor, and it is suitable for liquidized center tissue especially, then take out the tumor from neck. If it is hard to be taken out, you can ask thoracic surgeon for help.
Contraindications ; Female ; Goiter ; surgery ; Humans ; Mediastinum ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; surgery ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; surgery