BACKGROUND: To get a better cosmetic effect, and to avoid even a small incision and scar in the anterior neck zone, we adapted gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via anterior chest approach. METHODS: From June 2004 to June 2008, 219 @entity1 with @entity1374 underwent gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via anterior chest approach. The clinical and pathologic characteristics of @entity1 , the type of operation, operative time, length of postoperative hospital stay, and @entity260 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: All 219 operations were successfully performed endoscopically. Only three @entity1 showed @entity912 of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), and all of them recovered within 1-3  months after the surgery. One @entity1 showed permanent @entity912 of the RLN, one @entity1 developed a @entity86 , and one @entity1 suffered a @entity130 . There were no injuries to the superior laryngeal nerve or any @entity261 . No further complications, such as irritating cough, @entity116 , and @entity2415 developed after the operation. Because of the anterior chest wall approach, none of the @entity1 had a surgical scar on the neck and all were satisfied with the cosmetic effect. CONCLUSIONS: Gasless endoscopic thyroid surgery through anterior chest approach is a feasible and safe method. This technique had better cosmetic results and could constitute a new treatment modality for @entity1 with @entity5 and can also be an effective alternative treatment for the selected @entity1 with @entity259 .

Gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via an anterior chest approach--a review of 219 cases with XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['benign tumors'] @entity260 :: ('MESH:D011183', 'Disease') :: ['postoperative complications'] @entity2415 :: ('MESH:D004646', 'Disease') :: ['emphysema'] @entity261 :: ('MESH:D007011', 'Disease') :: ['hypoparathyroidism'] @entity86 :: ('MESH:D019106', 'Disease') :: ['postoperative seroma'] @entity116 :: ('MESH:D013746', 'Disease') :: ['tetany'] @entity259 :: ('MESH:D013964', 'Disease') :: ['thyroid cancer'] @entity912 :: ('MESH:D010243', 'Disease') :: ['paralysis', 'temporary paralysis'] @entity130 :: ('MESH:D014947', 'Disease') :: ['tracheal injury'] @entity1374 :: ('MESH:D013959', 'Disease') :: ['thyroid diseases']
@entity5 :: (MESH:D009369,Disease) :: ['benign tumor']
