Lingual Thyroidectomy: The Mayo Clinic Experience With Transoral Laser Microsurgery and Transoral Robotic Surgery. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Howard, Brittany E.; Moore, Eric J.; Hinni, Michael L.
• Is Part Of: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology. Volume 123:Number 3(2014)
• Page Start: 183
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: ectopic thyroid gland -- lingual thyroid gland -- recurrence -- transoral laser microsurgery -- transoral robotic surgery; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/0003489414522976
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4894

Abstract

Objectives: We report the clinical findings, surgical management, and outcomes for lingual thyroidectomy. Methods: We performed a retrospective case review of lingual thyroidectomy performed at 3 tertiary-care academic referral centers between 1994 and 2012. Results: Nine patients underwent lingual thyroidectomy for symptoms including globus sensation (6 patients), dysphagia (5 patients), and airway obstruction (5 patients). Before surgery, 3 patients had attempted medical suppressive therapy. Lingual thyroidectomy was performed by transoral laser microsurgery in 4 patients, transoral robotic surgery in 3 patients, transoral surgery without microscopic assistance in 1 patient, and an open approach with a modified Sistrunk procedure in 1 patient. Total thyroidectomy was attained in 7 patients, and subtotal resection in 2. The follow-up averaged 8 months, and all patients reported significant improvement in their symptoms. One patient had a recurrence. Complications included postoperative bleeding and epiglottic perforation in 1 patient and airway obstruction secondary to angioedema in another patient. There was no significant difference in operative times between transoral laser microsurgery (91 ± 16 minutes) and transoral robotic surgery (109 ± 35 minutes). Transoral surgery without microscopic assistance and open resection had longer operative times (206 and 246 minutes, respectively). Conclusions: Surgical resection of lingual thyroid glands achieves significant improvement in patient symptoms, with low rates of recurrence. We favor a total lingual thyroidectomy approach with use of either a microscope or a robotic endoscope for optical assistance.