To investigate the practicability and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy for treatment of Graves' disease.

One hundred and fifteen patients with Graves' disease from January 2008 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-five patients undergoing the same preoperative preparations and via attachment removal approach were included in this study and were divided into open surgery group (28 cases) and endoscopic surgery group (17 cases). Statistical analysis had been conducted on data including age, operative time, amount of bleeding during the operation, postoperative suction drainage, hospital stay, postoperation complication, and hospitalization expense between the two groups.

The mean age for open group and endoscopic group was (34.6±10.1) and (27.1±5.7) respectively; the difference had statistical significance. The differences of the mean amount of bleeding, mean hospital stay, hospitalization expense, thyroid volume before patients taking iodine, hypocalcemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve or superior laryngeal nerve injuries between the groups were not statistically significant. The mean operative time and postoperative suction drainage of open group was (1.68±0.69) h and (95.0±68.3) ml respectively; while that of endoscopic group was (2.87±0.67) h and (179.7±70.8) ml. There were statistical significances between the differences (P<0.05). No conversion was required in endoscopic group. No hypothyroidism or recurrent hyperthyroidism had occurred up to now.

Endoscopic thyroidectomy for Graves' disease via attachment remove approach is safe and feasible.