A SUCCESS STORY OF TRANSORAL ENDOSCOPIC THYROIDECTOMY VESTIBULAR APPROACH (TOETVA) AT DR SOETOMO GENERAL HOSPITAL, INDONESIA

The gold standard treatment for thyroid nodules is conventional thyroidectomy. The unavoidable side effects of this procedure include permanent cosmetic defects. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a new technique in thyroidectomy that uses a natural orifice. With minimal surgery and excellent cosmetic results, TOETVA can be the technique of choice for patients who want a scar-free operation. Here we are reporting the success case of TOETVA that was conducted at Dr Soetomo General Hospital in Indonesia. A 57-year-old woman who presented with a benign uninodular goiter that had been presented for four years. The patient requested a surgery without leaving a scar and then she was advised to have TOETVA. The operation lasted 140 minutes and there were no complications during the procedure. There were no postoperative complications such as loss of voice. The patient did not experience severe pain and was able to return home two days after the surgery. TOETVA is a promising new method for thyroidectomy and it has the cosmetic benefits of scarless skin and less postoperative pain. However, the risk of infection is increased due to the procedure’s location and the length of duration. In conclusion, TOETVA procedure is a safe procedure for selected patients and can be offered to patients who are concerned about the aesthetic outcome.