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Review
. 2024 Mar 26;13(7):1914.
doi: 10.3390/jcm13071914.

Techniques for Thyroidectomy and Functional Neck Dissection

Orhan Agcaoglu  1 , Serkan Sucu  1 , Safa Toprak  1 , Serdar Tezelman  1
Affiliations
Review

Techniques for Thyroidectomy and Functional Neck Dissection

Orhan Agcaoglu et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Thyroidectomy is a commonly performed surgery for thyroid cancer, Graves' disease, and thyroid nodules. With the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer, understanding the anatomy and surgical techniques is crucial to ensure successful outcomes and minimize complications. This review discusses the anatomical considerations of the thyroid and neck, including lymphatic drainage and the structures at risk during thyroidectomy. Emphasis is placed on the significance of cautious dissection to preserve critical structures, such as the parathyroid glands and recurrent laryngeal nerve. Neck dissection is also explored, particularly in cases of lymph node metastasis, in which its proper execution is essential for better survival rates. Additionally, this review evaluates various thyroidectomy techniques, including minimally invasive approaches, highlighting their potential benefits and limitations. Continuous surgical knowledge and expertise updates are necessary to ensure the best results for patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

Keywords: functional neck dissection; neck dissection; thyroid cancer; thyroidectomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Intraoperative image of left parathyroid glands and left inferior (recurrent) laryngeal nerve (1—left inferior parathyroid gland, 2—left recurrent laryngeal nerve, 3—left superior parathyroid gland); (B) intraoperative fluorescence image using SPY-PHI (Stryker Corp., Kalamazoo, MI, USA) showing quantitative increase in perfusion of left parathyroid glands after intravenous ICG (VerdyeTM, Diagnostic Green Ltd., Athlone, Ireland) injection (1—left inferior parathyroid gland, 2—left superior parathyroid gland).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Bilateral total thyroidectomy with central-compartment (level 6) dissection specimen.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Intraoperative image of a patient who underwent total thyroidectomy, central neck (level 6), and left functional neck (level 2–3–4–5) dissection.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Bilateral total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection and left functional lateral neck dissection specimen.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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