Application of Ultrasonography for Safe Flap Elevation at the Learning Period of Transoral Thyroidectomy: A Technical Report

Transoral thyroidectomy using the vestibular approach has achieved excellent cosmetic outcomes without leaving any visible scars. However, concerns have been raised on how to prevent complications, such as skin perforation and anterior jugular vein injury, especially in the learning period. This is because working space is generally created via blind and blunt dissection using a blunt dilator through small vestibular incisions unfamiliar to beginners. Herein, we explain an intraoperative real-time ultrasound technique employed in transoral thyroidectomy to safely elevate a skin flap while avoiding any damage to the flap and anterior jugular vein in the learning period.