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Endoscopic endocrine surgery in the neck

An initial report of endoscopic subtotal parathyroidectomy

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Abstract

Background: The fervor surrounding minimally invasive surgery, which began with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the late 1980s, has spread to nearly all surgical specialties.

Methods: After experimental success in an animal model, we recently performed our first case of endoscopic subtotal parathyroidectomy in a 37-year-old man. The patient, who had a history of severe pancreatitis and pancreatic calculi, was diagnosed as having hyperparathyroidism. The option of endoscopic parathyroidectomy was proposed and accepted. After placing the first trocar directly under the platysma, a space was created by bluntly dissecting with the tip of a 5-mm endoscopic camera. Four parathyroid glands were identified, and after a frozen-section diagnosis of parathyroid hyperplasia, three-and-one-half of the glands were resected.

Results: The patient developed slight hypercarbia and subcutaneous emphysema during the procedure, but no other problems were noted. His postoperative course was otherwise unremarkable.

Conclusions: This is the first case reported of an endoscopic parathyroidectomy. This experience makes us optimistic about the future of endoscopic neck surgery.

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Received: 3 April 1997/Accepted: 6 August 1997

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Naitoh, T., Gagner, M., Garcia-Ruiz, A. et al. Endoscopic endocrine surgery in the neck . Surg Endosc 12, 202–205 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900634

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649900634

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