Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy

The condition

The thyroid gland is in the neck. It produces thyroid hormones, which affect the body's growth and metabolism. Sometimes the gland can swell, or become overactive (hyperthyroidism) and produce too much hormone. This can cause symptoms such as anxiety, weight loss, breathlessness, tiredness and eye problems.

Cancer of the thyroid can also occur and causes the gland to get bigger. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include swellings in the neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness, and pain in the throat or neck.

Patients with an overactive thyroid are first treated with medicines to reduce the production of thyroid hormones, or radioiodine treatment to destroy some of the thyroid gland. If these don't work or are unsuitable, part or all of the thyroid gland can be removed surgically. The most common treatment for thyroid cancer is surgery. Usually, surgery is done using an 'open' technique, in which a cut of about 4‑8 cm long is made across the front of the neck. Techniques using keyhole surgery have also been developed, which can be done with a smaller cut.

NICE has looked at using minimally invasive video-assisted surgery as another treatment option.

NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk) may be a good place to find out more.