Extracervical endoscopic thyroid surgery via Bilateral Axillo-Breast approach (BABA)

Extracervical, scarless in-the-neck endoscopic thyroidectomy (SET) is a relatively new offshoot of minimal access neck surgery which is gaining popularity rapidly. Among all the approaches described, hybrid approaches such as axillary-breast and bilateral axillo-breast (BABA) are most practiced world over. We have performed more than 130 cases of SET using various approaches (ABA, BABA and transoral vestibular approach). We find BABA most suitable for patients who present with larger goitres (>= 6cm), toxic glands or low-grade thyroid cancers and are desirous of SET. Here, we describe the surgical technique of BABA, its pros and pitfalls based on our experience.