Can the operating time be reduced by use of magnification in Total Thyroidectomy? A preliminary Study

Abstract

Introduction: Total thyroidectomy is a major surgical procedure which is becoming increasingly popular. Operating Time taken for total thyroidectomy can be approximately 3-4 hours. Thyroidectomy surgeries still occupy a significant portion of busy general surgical lists in high volume thyroid centers such as Surgical Professorial Unit of Teaching Hospital Karapitiya. With resource constrains this implies much theatre time, staff and costs with significant bearing on health care demands. Reduction in operating time with consequent reduction in time under anesthesia is beneficial to patient too. This study was carried out to explore whether the surgical time is reduced by using magnification by the surgeon for total thyroidectomy.