Transaxillary gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy versus conventional open thyroidectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates surgical outcome and safety results of conventional (OT) versus endoscopic transaxillary gasless thyroidectomies (ET). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed. The weighted mean differences or the odd ratios with corresponding 95% CIs were examined for surgical outcomes and complications. The results were analysed using fixed- or random-effects models. The heterogeneity was checked by the Cochran Q test and the extent of inconsistency was evaluated by the I(2) statistic. RESULTS: Ten studies and 1597 patients were included. All studies found that ET required longer operative time. Postoperative pain was significantly lower after ET on day 1 and day 7. No statistical difference was found in complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: ET has disadvantages such as longer surgery time, but it is a feasible and safe procedure with lower postoperative pain and comparable complication rates to OT. However, good quality prospective randomised studies are necessary to draw firmer conclusions.