OUTCOMES OF MICROSCOPIC THYROIDECTOMY COMPARED WITH THE CONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
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Keywords
Microscopic Thyroidectomy, Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve, Hypocalcemia, Parathyroid Preservation, Thyroid Surgery.
Abstract
Microscopic thyroidectomy offers enhanced magnification and finer tissue handling, which may reduce intra and post-operative complications compared with the conventional approach. Interest in its use has grown as surgeons aim to minimise bleeding, protection against injury to recurrent & superior laryngeal nerves, and preserve parathyroid function.
Objectives
To compare postoperative outcomes of microscopic thyroidectomy with the conventional technique, and to evaluate differences between hemi- and total thyroidectomy, as well as benign and malignant thyroid diseases (papillary and follicular carcinoma).
Methods
A comparative study was conducted among 30 patients undergoing thyroidectomy (15 microscopic and 15 conventional). Operative time, blood loss, nerve integrity, postoperative hypocalcemia, and surgical complications were recorded. Subgroup comparisons were made for hemi vs total procedures and benign vs malignant lesions.
Results
Microscopic thyroidectomy showed lower intraoperative bleeding, clearer identification of recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves, and improved early postoperative calcium stability. Operative time was slightly longer but associated with improved safety margins. Total thyroidectomy was associated with a higher incidence of transient hypocalcemia compared with hemithyroidectomy, while malignant lesions required wider exposure regardless of technique.
Conclusion
Microscopic thyroidectomy provided more precise dissection and better early postoperative outcomes than the conventional method. Its advantages were most notable in nerve preservation and parathyroid safety, making it a valuable option for almost all thyroid surgeries.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Dr. Abhilash S.
Assistant Professor, Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, Farookh Academy of Medical Education Hospital and Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Dr. Sachin H.M.
Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, Farookh Academy of Medical Education Hospital and Research Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Dr. Ila M.S.
Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, G. R. Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
