Right gasless transaxillary endoscopic total thyroidectomy (RGTETT) with video: our experience with the posterior approach: Lei’s seven-sinking method

Our video demonstrates a modified gasless transaxillary endoscopic thyroid surgery with the posterior approach for bilateral low-risk thyroid cancer. In this paper, we provided a detailed introduction to the right gasless transaxillary endoscopic total thyroidectomy surgical procedure for bilateral low-risk thyroid cancer, and briefly summarized the Lei’s seven-sinking method: sinking the clavicular head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (CHSCM); sinking the cervical vascular sheath; sinking the right wall of the esophagus; sinking the right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN); sinking the trachea; sinking the left RLN and sinking the thyroid. A 5-cm incision was made starting from the anterior axillary line along the natural fold at the axilla. A trocar was placed in the axillary incision approximately 3–5 cm away from the side of the breast and slightly below the anterior axillary line. Using blunt dissection and electrocautery, a working space was created by elevating a subcutaneous flap above the pectoralis major muscle. The thyroid bed was accessed through the two heads of the SCM, and then the thyroid was separated from the strap muscles. Thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection were fully endoscopically performed with the posterior approach using conventional endoscopic instruments. Through the posterior approach and the operation steps of the seven-sinking method, total thyroidectomy and bilateral central lymph node dissection can be achieved relatively easily.