Video-assisted surgery of thyroid nodules

Results of the 178 video-assisted operations for thyroid nodules less than 30 mm in size are presented. Mean duration of video-assisted hemithyroidectomy was 64,1 (M±m 19,4) min, total thyroidectomy - 85,62 (M±m 31,2) min.. There were no cases of postoperative bleeding. Transient decrease of blood calcium was in 2 (1,1%) patients after thyroidectomy. Transient recurrent nerve palsy was observed in 7 (3,9%) cases, definitive - 1 (0,5%) cases. Mean scar length was 20,2 (M±m 6,2) cm. Mean hospital stay was 2,4 (M±m 1,2) postoperative stay - 1,5 (M±m 1,1) days (during the last 50 cases - 1 day). Video-assisted operations may be considered as an alternative for a conventional surgery in patients with thyroid nodules less than 30 mm in size.