The study, conducted by researchers at Georgia Health Sciences University, performed 495 thyroidectomy procedures from Feb. 2003-May 2008. Of these procedures, 23 were performed on patients less than 21 years of age. Nine patients of the 23 had thyroid cancer, most commonly papillary carcinoma. Two patients had temporary hypocalcemia, and both required readmission.
The study found that minimally invasive thyroid surgery had benefits over conventional thyroid surgery, particularly in a pediatric population. For example, a smaller incision reduced the chance of social stigma, and the minimally invasive approach allowed for better preservation of tissue planes.
Read the abstract on the study in the Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology.
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