Objective To compare endoscopic thyroidectomy via transoral submental approach with open surgery for treating thyroid tumors in terms of the clinical effectiveness.Methods We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the clinical data and follow-up records of 154 patients in the study,who were hospitalized for thyroidectomy in our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022.Among them,74 cases undergoing endoscopic thyroidectomy via transoral submental approach were assigned to the endoscopic group and 80 cases undergoing traditional open thyroid surgery to the open surgery group.Results All operations were completed successfully and safely in both groups,with no intermediate openings in the endoscopic group.Compared with the open surgery group,the endoscopic group had significantly fewer intraoperative blood losses[(19.46±10.24)mL vs.(32.05±15.87)mL],significantly less incision length[(1.95±0.30)cm vs.(7.05±0.60)cm],significant shorter operative time[(136.66±22.44)min vs.(82.75±15.20)min],and significantly less total postoperative drainage[(111.35±38.92)mL vs.(95.45±36.73)mL](all P＜0.05).Endoscopic patients had superior postoperative pain and cosmetic satisfaction compared to open patients,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The two groups had no significant differences in the number of lymph node dissections,parathyroid hormone,and postoperative morbidity between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The endoscopic thyroidectomy via transoral submental approach can achieve the same clinical effectiveness as the traditional open surgery.However,it is advantageous in reducing intra-operative blood loss,relieving post-operative pain,and achieving a better cosmetic effects of neck incision,thus deserving clinical promotion and application.

Objective To investigate the safety of using a self-made new type non-inflatable retractor for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via submental and vestibular approach(TOETSMVA).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the surgical records of 119 cases of unilateral thyroid lobe tumor from January 2021 to June 2022.Among them,37 cases underwent non-inflatable TOETSMVA by using a new type non-inflatable retractor(non-inflatable group),37 cases underwent traditional inflatable TOETSMVA(inflatable group),and 45 cases underwent traditional open anterior cervical thyroid surgery(open group).The differences in surgical indicators,postoperative complications,and patient satisfaction with incision were compared among the three groups.Results Compared with the open group,the non-inflatable group had longer operation time[(131.0±20.1)min vs.(81.1±15.7)min,P=0.000],but less intraoperative blood loss[19(15,27)ml vs.30(25,37)ml,P=0.000],lower pain score on the first day after surgery[(4.8±2.1)points vs.(6.4±1.9)points,P=0.000],and higher patient's satisfaction with the incision(the number of cases of very dissatisfied,dissatisfied,satisfied,comparatively satisfied,and very satisfied were 0,0,6,16,15 vs.4,3,19,17,2,P=0.000).Compared with the inflatable group,the non-inflatable group had shorter surgical time[(131.0±20.1)min vs.(141.8±22.9)min,P=0.019],and there were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative bleeding volume,pain score on the first day after surgery,and patient satisfaction with the incision(P＞0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the number of lymph node dissection,total postoperative drainage volume,and parathyroid hormone(PTH)levels on the first day after surgery among the three groups(P＞0.05).Postoperative bleeding occurred in 1 case in the open group,and 1 case of hoarseness and 1 case of subcutaneous ecchymosis of the neck were noted in the non-inflatable group.No tracheoesophageal injury,severe subcutaneous emphysema,hypercapnia,or gas embolism happened among the three groups.Conclusions The new type non-inflatable retractor can effectively maintain space during TOETSMVA surgery.Compared with traditional open anterior cervical thyroid surgery and conventional inflatable TOETSMVA,it has better surgical safety.