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Abstract
Background  Endoscopic surgery for thyroid nodules is used by many endocrine surgeons. The present study reviews our experiences with
endoscopic thyroidectomy using bilateral breast areola and ipsilateral axillary (BBIA) approach to evaluate its safety and
feasibility.

Methods  From June 2003 through November 2007, the study group was comprised of 68 consecutive patients with benign thyroid nodules
(66 women; mean age, 33.28 ± 10.3 (range, 15–72) years). A detailed description of the surgical technique is provided.

Occult lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) can be detected by sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy, but studies in larger patient cohorts undergoing complete central neck dissection may be required to assess the diagnostic accuracy of SLN.