Endoscopic Retro-auricular Thyroidectomy: A Preclinical Feasibility Study in Three Cadavers

Objectives:A number of remote-access thyroidectomy techniques with the assistance of endoscopic or robotic technology have been described. Most gasless endoscopic thyroidectomies require additional incision on the chest or mammary areola for instrumentation. Recently, Terris DJ et al. developed a novel remote-access robotic facelift thyroidectomy technique. We aimed to evaluate the preclinical feasibility of endoscope-assisted thyroidectomy and central neck dissection via retro-auricular single incision in three cadavers.Methods:Three fresh, unembalmed human cadavers were used. A 5-mm, 30-degree rigid telescope, endoscopic instruments, and a Harmonic scalpel were used. Working space was created through the retro-auricular incision. Surgical procedures included the identification and ligation of the superior thyroid pedicle, peri-thyroid fascia dissection, dissection of the inferior pole, identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), dissection near the Berry ligament, and isthmusectomy.Results:We...