Original Article

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: Ascending the learning curve Michela Giulii Capponi1, Carlo Bellotti2, Marco Lotti1, Luca Ansaloni1 General Surgery 1 Unit, Emergency Department, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy, 2Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Unit, Surgeal Department, Sant’ Andrea Hospital, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy 1

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Michela Giulii Capponi, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Piazza OMS 1, Bergamo 24127, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) is a technically demanding procedure and requires a surgical team skilled in both endocrine and endoscopic surgery. The aim of this report is to point out some aspects of the learning curve of the video-assisted thyroid surgery, through the analysis of our preliminary series of procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a period of 8 months, we selected 36 patients for minimally invasive videoassisted surgery of the thyroid. The patients were considered eligible if they presented with a nodule not exceeding 35 mm and total thyroid volume