• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.114-117
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• 2012

Background and Objectives : To assure the surgical completeness of the gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via single incision axillary approach using flexible videoscope which provide wide angle and working space, we compared single incision axillary approach and axillo-areolar approach by means of clinical, surgical outcomes. Materials and Methods : From March 2011 to July 2012, 24 patients who had underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy via transaxillary approach were enrolled. Of total, 17 patients underwent single incision axillary approach(group I) and the other 7 underwent axillo-areolar approach(group II). Results : Patient demographics, surgical indications were similar between the two groups. The operating time(group I 144.6min, group II 153.6 min ; p=.29), blood loss(group I : 55.4cc, group II : 35.7cc : p=.64), hospital stay(group I : 4.2days, group II : 4.4 days ; p=.65) were similar in the two groups. Overall, two patients in group I(2/17, 11.8%) experienced postoperative complications, including one hematoma and one seroma. Due to narrow working space, one patient was change to axillo-areolar approach during single incision axillary approach with $30^{\circ}$ rigid endoscope. Conclusion：Single incision axillary approach is safe and effective similar to other endoscopic thyroidectomy methods using flexible videoscope. Different with $30^{\circ}$ rigid endoscope, 10-mm flexible videoscope can put inside the axillary inicision site in different axis with endoscopic instruments. This difference in endoscopic axis help to prevent crash with endoscopic instrument.