"Elastic stretch cavity building" system in endoscopic thyroidectomy via the axillary approach: a case series

Gaoxiang Chen; Xiaochun Ji; Hai Zhang; Yong Luo; Weizhu Wu; Weifeng Teng; Jianan Zhang; Shaocheng Zhou

doi:10.3389/fonc.2023.1167949

"Elastic stretch cavity building" system in endoscopic thyroidectomy via the axillary approach: a case series

Front Oncol. 2023 Apr 27:13:1167949. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1167949. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Gaoxiang Chen¹, Xiaochun Ji¹, Hai Zhang¹, Yong Luo¹, Weizhu Wu¹, Weifeng Teng¹, Jianan Zhang¹, Shaocheng Zhou¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, China.

Abstract

Background: Patients undergoing conventional endoscopic thyroidectomy via the axillary approach, which is commonly used clinically, suffered from a range of postoperative complications. This study aimed to prevent postoperative complications and evaluate patients' satisfaction with cosmetic outcomes in endoscopic thyroidectomy via the axillary with the use of "Elastic Stretch Cavity Building" System.

Methods: In this retrospective case series study, the clinical data of patients who were admitted to the Thyroid Surgery Department of Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital between December 2020 and December 2021 for endoscopic thyroidectomy via the axillary approach under the "Elastic Stretch Cavity Building" System.

Results: A total of 67 patients were included, all surgeries were successfully completed. The operation time was 75.61 ± 13.67 minutes; the postoperative drainage volume was 109.97 ± 37.54 ml; the average postoperative hospital stay was 4 (2-6) days. There was no skin ecchymosis, effusion or infection, hypocalcemia, convulsions, upper extremity dyskinesia, and temporary hoarseness after the surgery. The patients were satisfied with the cosmetic effects, and the cosmetic score was 4 (3-4).

Conclusion: The "Elastic Stretch Cavity Building" System in endoscopic thyroid surgery via the axillary approach might reduce the risks of complications and achieve satisfactory results with the cosmetic outcomes.

Keywords: axillary approach; case series; cavity builder; cosmetic satisfaction; elastic stretch cavity building; endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Program for Public Wellbeing of Ningbo (2017C50067), Science and Technology Program for Public Wellbeing of Ningbo (2022S051). The funding bodies had no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.