Is a thyroid follicular neoplasm a good indication for endoscopic surgery?

Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2011 Jun;21(3):e148-51. doi: 10.1097/SLE.0b013e31821aaa60.

Abstract

Endoscopic thyroidectomy is a safe and feasible alternative as compared with conventional open thyroidectomy in patients with a small thyroid cancer or a benign thyroid tumor. However, despite the many advantages of endoscopic surgery, it can result in unexpected complications. Recently, the authors experienced a case of follicular thyroid cancer recurrence that developed around the operative bed and along the port insertion site after endoscopic thyroidectomy for a large follicular neoplasm. The authors suggest that a smaller follicular neoplasm is a good indication for endoscopic thyroidectomy, but that a large follicular neoplasm should not be viewed as indicators for endoscopic surgery, because of the possibility of malignancy and rupture during manipulation.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Endoscopy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Thyroidectomy / methods*