The role of surgeon-performed ultrasound in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA)

Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) is a recently described surgical technique where the thyroid and central neck can be accessed without a cutaneous incision. To date nearly 700 cases have been described within the English literature demonstrating the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the technique. As more institutions begin to adopt the surgical approach, it is important that surgeons pay close attention to appropriate patient selection and surgical optimization to prevent experience-related complications. A valuable tool to facilitate these considerations is the utilization of surgeon-performed ultrasonography (US). While the merits of surgeon-performed US are well-documented within head & neck endocrine surgery as a whole, its value may be of even greater importance when implementing a novel surgical technique such as TOETVA. Here we highlight and summarize the role of surgeon-performed US within head & neck endocrine surgery, focusing on how it may influence patient selection and surgical planning with TOETVA.