Treatment of goiter by endoscopic surgery

(Baonghean) - Recently, in Nghe An, some hospitals have implemented endoscopic surgery for goiter but still have to invite doctors from the central level to perform the surgery, some have to transfer to other treatment facilities. To overcome this situation, endoscopic surgery for the treatment of simple goiter has been studied and applied by doctors from Nghe An Oncology Hospital and the effectiveness of endoscopic surgery in the treatment of simple goiter at provincial hospitals has been evaluated. The new technique has been successfully implemented, which also means that many patients do not have to be transferred to the central level, reducing the financial burden.

Endoscopic surgery at Nghe An Oncology Hospital. Photo: Tu Thanh

Simple goiter is a common disease, mainly treated by open surgery, leaving a long scar, causing pain after surgery, hindering neck movement and greatly affecting aesthetics. Endoscopic surgery to treat simple goiter is a surgical method applying high technology, first performed in Nghe An by a provincial doctor. This method has a short time, little blood loss during surgery, low rate of complications, mild postoperative, less pain for the patient, quick recovery, especially meeting the aesthetic problem after surgery.

According to actual records at Nghe An Oncology Hospital, many cases of goiter, before coming to the hospital for treatment, were treated with many other methods, the common methods are applying, wrapping leaves and plants according to folk experience, burning, aspiration... Treatment according to folk experience not only does not cure the disease but also causes adhesion to the goiter, making it difficult to treat by surgery later. Therefore, it is best for patients to go to a medical facility for proper and timely diagnosis and treatment.

Doctor Dau Huy Hoan said that currently, there are quite a lot of goiter patients at the hospital. On average, each week, the hospital's doctors and nurses perform surgery (both open and endoscopic) from 4 to 5 cases. The indication for endoscopic surgery to treat goiter is mainly for cases of grade 1 and grade 2 goiter, especially young people, focusing on the aesthetic factor. The doctor also advised patients not to treat arbitrarily, which is both costly, time-consuming, and makes the condition more serious.

Ms. Huong in Nghia Dan has had goiter for many years. She took medicine several times but it did not work, so she had to go to Nghe An Oncology Hospital for treatment. She said: “Before, I was very afraid of surgery, especially the long scar on my neck, so I did not dare to go to the hospital for treatment. When my relatives told me about the endoscopic surgery technique at the hospital, and I saw that the incision did not leave a scar, I went to have a check-up. After the doctor advised and encouraged me, I decided to have goiter surgery using the endoscopic method. After the surgery, the wound was not as painful as I thought, and the happiest thing was that there was no scar on my neck.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh, from Vinh City, had a goiter on her right lobe and was successfully treated with endoscopic surgery. She was excited: “I have had a goiter for many years and was very afraid of surgery. I did not expect that after the surgery I would feel better immediately and could be discharged from the hospital sooner than expected.”

Dr. Hoan said: “The treatment results of endoscopic and open surgery are the same. However, the advantage of endoscopic thyroid surgery is that it helps patients reduce the time in hospital and has less pain. At the same time, it reduces the risk of infection, so patients use less or no antibiotics after surgery. However, the most important factor that patients are most satisfied with is aesthetics. This technique only leaves a small scar in the armpit, which can fade or disappear over time.” Endoscopic thyroid surgery offers patients many advantages over open surgery: a much shorter hospital stay, less pain after surgery, small, invisible scars, reduced risk of infection, fewer complications of bleeding and damage to the vocal nerve.

The application of new techniques in diagnosis and treatment creates conditions for patients to avoid referral to higher levels, ensuring effectiveness and quality in the treatment of simple goiter. In the coming time, this endoscopic surgery technique will continue to be deployed in other provincial hospitals.

Thanh Hoa