Up-to-date evidences of transoral thyroidectomy on how to overcome the obstacles?—A review

Abstract

Abstract: The progress in the field of minimally invasive surgery over the last twenty years has led to the application of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy via oral incisions. The true scarless nature of this approach had fascinated the early pioneers to prove the feasibility in the field of endocrine surgery. Through many trials and errors, the transoral thyroidectomy has now passed its experimental stage and is continually gaining momentum in obtaining worldwide popularity. However, the approach is yet to acquire status of the primary method of choice and therefore surgeons need to gain more evidence to standardize and popularize the approach. In this article we review the history, indications and contraindications, technical aspects of preserving the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and parathyroid glands, pros and cons regarding endoscopic or robotic approach, limitations and recent advancements in the field of transoral thyroidectomy