Transaxillary gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy versus conventional open thyroidectomy: a randomized study

The objective of this study is to compare the outcomes of transaxillary gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy (TGET) and conventional open thyroidectomy (COT). Thirty-three patients with thyroid nodule were enrolled. All patients were randomized into two different groups. Sixteen patients underwent TGET and 17 patients underwent COT. We analyzed the patients' characteristics, wound satisfaction, the intraoperative phase, hospitalization, pain, and costs. The operative time for the TGET group was significantly longer than in the COT group. The estimated blood loss, the hospitalized days, and pain between the two groups were not significantly different. The drainage content was significantly more in the TGET group. The patients' wound satisfaction and mean total cost per case were significantly greater in the TGET group. The TGET provided better cosmetic outcomes and was comparable regarding the estimated blood loss, pain, complication, and hospitalization. However, the TGET required a longer operative time which determines the higher costs.