Thyroidectomy is the commonest endocrine surgical procedure undertaken throughout the world. Redo thyroidectomies are challenging procedures with a higher morbidity rate. Lateral approach to thyroid (LATT) is a good alternative to the standard midline exploration. The key to the technique is the development of the natural tissue plane between the strap muscle and the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle to explore the thyroid bed. A study was carried out to assess the efficacy, safety, and complication of LATT.

Data on patients undergoing LATT in professorial surgical unit, Ragama from 2008 to 2015, were collected prospectively and analyzed. All procedures were done by a single surgeon.

A total of 36 LATTs were done. Data from 32 people were collected, as 4 patients lost follow-up; 29 (90.6%) were females and 3 (9.4%) were males. Their age ranges between 28 and 61 (median 43.37). Three (9.4%) LATTs for parathyroid explorations and out of it one (3.1%) for redo parathyroid explorations were done. Nine (28.1%) cases were redo thyroidectomies and 18 (56.2%) were done with mini incision with lateral approach. Hemithyroidectomies were performed on 28 (87.5%) patients. Bilateral explorations were done on three (9.4%) patients and four (12.5%) lateral approaches were done for completion thyroidectomies for follicular malignant lesions. Transient clinical hypocalcemia was noticed in four (12.5%) patients and one (3.1%) developed hoarseness of voice, which was temporary; and none of them had complications like hematoma and postsurgical stridor.

Lateral approach to thyroid is a safe alternative to the standard approach for reexplorative thyroid surgery.

Dissanayake DDMC, Fernando RF, Dissanayake IJ. Lateral approach to Thyroid: A Good Technique for Reoperative Thyroid Surgery. World J Endoc Surg 2016;8(2):141-142.