Endoscopic central lymph node dissection of thyroid cancer via chest–breast approach: results, indications, and strategies

Background Surgery for thyroid cancer via endoscopic approach was still controversial. Herein, we report the indications, strategies for operative techniques, as well as results for endoscopic central lymph node dissection of thyroid cancer via chest–breast approach (ETCB-CLND). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the cases of DTC, whom underwent ETCB-CLND from January 2013 to June 2020. Three hundred and twenty-three cases underwent ETCB-CLND (endoscopic group) and 267 cases underwent open surgery (open group). General characteristic, surgical results, thyroglobulin (Tg), radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU), radioactive technetium uptake (RATU), radionuclide imaging of the thyroid residual area (RITRA), and radionuclide imaging of suspicious lymph nodes metastasis (RISLNM) were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results The age of the endoscopic group were lower than that of the open group. The operation time of lobectomy in endoscopic group were longer than that in open group. The gender distribution ( P = 0.831), operation time of total thyroidectomy ( P = 0.311), intraoperative blood loss ( P = 0.672), postoperative hospital stay ( P = 0.852), tumor size ( P = 0.259), number of cases of lymph node metastasis ( P = 0.618), number of dissected lymph nodes ( P = 0.681), number of metastatic lymph nodes ( P = 0.723), and complications ( P = 0.749) did not differ significantly between groups, nor did the surgical range ( P = 0.661), Tg at 1 month ( P = 0.61) and 1 year ( P = 0.67) after surgery, before ( P = 0.589) and after ( P = 0.593) radioiodine therapy, RAIU-2 h/24 h ( P = 0.906/0.582), RATU (P = 0.532), ( 99m Tc 15 min: P = 0.503; 131 I 24 h: P = 0.377; 131 I 3d: P = 0.919), RISLNM (none: P = 0.887; central: P = 0.630; lateral: P = 0.659). Conclusion The rational and normative application of the endoscopic technique in central lymph node dissection of DTC is safe, feasible, and consistent with the principle of radical tumor cure for selected cases by well-trained surgeons.