Vinmec Nha Trang pioneers endoscopic surgery for non-swollen thyroid cancer

Helping to effectively treat thyroid cancer without leaving scars in the neck area. Mastering and implementing this advanced technique not only affirms the pioneering role of the hospital, but also opens up opportunities for people in Khanh Hoa to access high-quality treatment methods right in the locality, without having to go far.

Difficult decision for a "small but not simple" injury

The patient is Ms. L. (42 years old, Khanh Hoa) who was diagnosed with thyroid nodules during a periodic health check-up. Ultrasound results recorded very small lesions, only a few millimeters. However, what doctors paid special attention to was not the size but the location of the lesion: Close to the thyroid shell - the area where tumors can develop and invade outside the thyroid gland.

The results of microneedle aspiration (FNA) then showed suspected signs of papilloma thyroid cancer - the most common type of thyroid cancer, which tends to progress silently in the early stages.

According to Dr. Tran Minh Tuan - a surgeon for head, face and neck diseases at Vinmec Nha Trang, this is a group of cases that can easily make patients subjective because the lesions are small and almost do not cause obvious symptoms. However, these cases require careful assessment to make appropriate treatment decisions.

If the injury is large, the surgical indication is usually quite clear. But with small tumors, especially located in sensitive locations, doctors must consider very carefully: Both avoiding excessive intervention and not missing the best time for treatment for the patient," the doctor shared.

After a multi-specialized consultation, the Vinmec Nha Trang medical team decided to choose oral endoscopic thyroid surgery - one of the most advanced techniques currently in the treatment of thyroid diseases.
Unlike traditional open surgery where a line is cut in the neck area to access the thyroid gland, this method uses very small incisions in the lining of the lower lip.From here, endoscopic cameras and specialized instruments are inserted to access the thyroid gland from the inside.

The biggest advantage is that it does not leave skin scars. But in return, this is a very difficult technique. The entire surgical operation takes place in a narrow space, with a deep surgical field and many important anatomical structures located close to the injured area. Surgeons must accurately dissect each layer of tissue, control the surgical field well, and maximize the preservation of important functional structures such as the laryngeal inverted nerve - directly related to the voice and parathyroid gland - organs that play a role in regulating calcium metabolism.

Even a small deviation can affect the quality of voice, causing prolonged hoarseness or post-operative calcium metabolism disorders.

With this technique, the challenge is not only to completely remove suspected cancer lesions, but also to ensure safety for patients. Every operation requires very high accuracy and smooth coordination of the entire team," said Dr. Tuan.

People in Khanh Hoa access high-quality healthcare right in the locality

The surgery was performed with the support of a high-resolution endoscopic system and a modern specialized kit. After surgery, the patient recovered well, pain was less, and he could eat and drink early and be discharged from the hospital after only a few days. In particular, the neck area did not leave any scars, helping the patient reduce psychological pressure about appearance - a factor that is increasingly being concerned by many people in treatment.

According to experts, endoscopic thyroid surgery through the oral vestibular tract is currently one of the leading advanced techniques in the treatment of thyroid diseases. However, due to the very high requirements on the level of surgeons, the ability to control complications and a synchronous equipment system, this method is currently only being implemented in some major medical facilities across the country.

Vinmec Nha Trang mastering and putting this technique into regular practice not only opens up more optimal treatment options for people in Khanh Hoa and the South Central region, but also affirms the hospital's professional capacity in conquering difficult techniques, approaching the treatment standards of major medical centers.

As a leading international general hospital in the region, Vinmec Nha Trang is gradually improving the quality of specialized treatment, investing synchronously in technology, equipment and a team of doctors so that people can access modern, safe and effective medical services right in the locality without having to go far.

Doctors recommend that thyroid cancer often progresses silently, with few symptoms in the early stages. Regular health check-ups, especially thyroid ultrasound, play an important role in early detection and timely treatment, helping to simplify intervention and improve long-term prognosis.