The term Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy (MIT) refers to the removal of the thyroid gland through a very small incision and is designed to minimize trauma and reduce recovery time associated with the removal. There are several conditions that may warrant the removal of the thyroid gland, but the most common ones are growths – both benign and cancerous – that appear on or within the gland. Each year, there are over 23,000 new cases of thyroid cancers diagnosed in the US. Early detection is the best way to combat thyroid cancer. If caught early, the chances of survival are far greater than with cancers that go undetected for long periods of time.
Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy (MIT) methods were introduced in the late 1990s as a way to circumvent the undesired side effects of traditional methods. A traditional thyroidectomy left the patient in a considerable amount of pain from an incision site of up to four inches in length. This large incision coupled with the pain made for extensive recovery times that used to last up to three weeks. The Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy (MIT) technique reduced the size of the incision down to one inch, which facilitates a faster recovery time (just over a week in most cases) and less post-operative pain.
The reason that the Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy (MIT) technique became a possibility is through the use of endoscopic tools that allow surgeons to see the thyroid and its surrounding tissues via a small camera inserted into the small incision. Traditional methods didn’t use these cameras, which is why a much larger area of the neck had to be opened to allow surgeons access to the gland and greater visibility. Today, patients who have the Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy (MIT) done usually only stay overnight in the hospital whereas some may even go home the same day.
As with most surgical procedures and conditions, there are some patients that a Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy (MIT) might not work for. This could be true for several reasons, including underlying conditions as well as the placement of the mass to be removed. In instances such as these, traditional or alternate methods of removing the thyroid gland may be necessary. Only a qualified surgeon can make this decision, based on the findings of a pre-operative consultation. The consultation will include various tests and other exams to identify the cause of the patient’s thyroid condition and identify its underlying cause so that the most effective method of treatment can given.