Archives

Abstract
Background  Endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) is a demanding surgical technique in which dissection of the gland is entirely performed with
an endoscope, in a closed area maintained by insufflation or mechanical retraction. ET by direct cervical approach (anterior
or lateral) is minimally invasive, but ET using an extracervical access (chest wall, breast, or axillary) is not. No technique
seems to be universally accepted yet. This review was designed to clarify the existing evidence for performing endoscopic
thyroid resections in the management of benign thyroid nodules.

Abstract
Background  The optimal treatment of Graves´ disease (GD) is still controversial. Surgery is one treatment option along with radioactive
iodine (RAI) and antithyroid medication. In this evidence-based review, we examine four issues: (1) Is surgery better than
RAI or long-term antithyroid medication? (2) What is the recommended surgical approach? (3) How does the presence of Graves’
ophthalmopathy (GO) influence the role of surgery? (4) What is the role of surgery in children with GD?