Document Type : Review Article
Author
General Surgeon, Sina Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical science, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Thyroidectomy, the surgical removal of the thyroid gland, is a commonly performed procedure for various thyroid conditions. In recent years, laparoscopic thyroidectomy (LT) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to open thyroidectomy (OT). This abstract presents a comparison of the results between laparoscopic and open thyroidectomy, specifically focusing on surgical efficacy, safety, postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction. Several studies have reported comparable or even superior outcomes with laparoscopic thyroidectomy in terms of surgical efficacy. LT provides magnified visualization and improved access to the surgical field, resulting in lower rates of nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism, while achieving equivalent rates of complete tumor resection and lymph node dissection. In terms of safety, laparoscopic thyroidectomy has demonstrated advantages over open thyroidectomy. It is associated with reduced blood loss, lower rates of wound infections, decreased postoperative pain, and improved cosmetic outcomes due to smaller incisions. However, the learning curve for surgeons must be considered, as adequate training and experience are crucial for ensuring patient safety during laparoscopic procedures. Studies consistently report lower rates of postoperative complications with laparoscopic thyroidectomy, including wound infections, hematoma formation, seroma formation, and postoperative hypoparathyroidism. The incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is also lower with laparoscopy. Patient satisfaction tends to be higher with laparoscopic thyroidectomy due to reduced postoperative pain, faster recovery, improved cosmetic outcomes, and shorter hospital stays. In conclusion, laparoscopic thyroidectomy offers potential benefits in terms of surgical efficacy, safety, lower rates of postoperative complications, and higher patient satisfaction compared to open thyroidectomy.
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