Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via vestibular approach : a series of the first ten cases in Iraq

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy was first described as an experimental sublingual approach. This approach was modified to a vestibular approach to avoid complications. In this report, we describe the results of the first ten cases of a transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via vestibular approach (TOETVA) performed in Iraq. All operations were performed at Al Shifa General Hospital, Basrah, Iraq, in 2017 using three laparoscopic ports inserted at the oral vestibule. One out of ten patients underwent a near total thyroidectomy, the remaining cases underwent thyroid lobectomies. The average operative time was 113.5 minutes and the average duration of hospital stay was 41.9 hours. One case of mild cervical emphysema and one case of temporary mental nerve palsy were reported but both were treated conservatively without permanent sequelae. In conclusion, TOETVA is a safe, feasible procedure with an excellent cosmetic outcome when the patients are selected carefully.