A simple method for determining an optimal incision for minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy

摘要

In the past few years, minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) has been widely used for the treatment of thyroid disease [1-3]. The MIVAT procedure is characterized by a single access of 1.5 to 2 cm in the middle area of the neck. This minimal invasive approach has the advantages of less postoperative pain and better cosmetic results.For most young patients, cosmesis is indeed a major reason for requiring MIVAT . It thus behooves surgeons to give more thought to planning an optimal thyroidectomy incision. The authors describe a simple, rational method for designing the skin incision for MTV AT.The patient, under general anesthesia, is placed in the supine position with no hyperextension of the neck. The process of incision design involves the three steps described in the following sections.