Istinye University (ISU) recently hosted a "Scarless Thyroidectomy" course, a popular surgical technique in recent years. The event attracted numerous national and international physicians, both as trainers and trainees, who engaged in practical training with freshly frozen cadavers, alongside theoretical instruction. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cem Dural, the course director and a faculty member in the Department of General Surgery at ISU, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting the participation of trainers and trainees from various European countries—including Italy, France, Austria, Germany, England, Spain, and Greece—as well as distant locations such as Panama, Nepal, Jordan, and India.
The course also featured the "Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy with Vestibular Approach (TOETVA)," a widely adopted surgical technique known for leaving no visible scars on the neck. This method, which has gained popularity in advanced surgical centers, particularly in Thailand and South Korea, allows for thyroid surgery to be performed through the mouth, eliminating the need for neck incisions.
With the support of the Society of Endocrine Surgery and the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons, physicians from Türkiye and various countries participated as both trainers and trainees in a course organized in collaboration with LIV Hospital Vadistanbul. The course began with theoretical training in the Seminar Hall at LIV Hospital Vadistanbul on August 31 and continued with practical training in the Cadaver Laboratory of the Department of Anatomy at ISU Faculty of Medicine.
Certain Criteria Must be Present in Patients to Whom the Method Can be Applied
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cem Dural, an Endocrine Surgery Specialist and Faculty Member of the Department of General Surgery at ISU Faculty of Medicine, directed the course and provided insights into "Scarless Thyroidectomy":
"The TOETVA method, known as Scarless Thyroidectomy, allows for endoscopic surgery of the thyroid gland through the mouth, eliminating the need for an incision in the neck. This technique was developed in 2016 by Angkoon Anuwong, a general surgeon from Thailand. While the neck is an area with a rich blood supply and generally heals well, it can also lead to significant scarring in some patients. The method quickly gained popularity in the Far East, where neck aesthetics are often prioritized, and it has since spread worldwide. However, the technical challenges of this approach require experience in both endocrine and endoscopic surgery, and specific criteria must be met for patients eligible for this procedure. Factors such as jaw structure, neck length, oral cavity anatomy, oral hygiene, the type of thyroid disease, and the size of any thyroid nodules play a crucial role in determining suitability. Currently, the TOETVA method is increasingly applied in selected experienced centers across many countries, including Türkiye."
This Year, Istinye University Hosted the Course
Emphasizing the importance of training for this method, Prof. Dural stated, "The unique approach to accessing the thyroid gland necessitates theoretical and practical training prior to performing this surgical technique. Trainees must initially assist and observe procedures alongside experienced surgeons. This mentorship helps prevent complications and enhances surgical success. Therefore, increasing expertise in the countries and centers where these trainings are conducted is essential. Various centers in Europe, supported by the European Society of Endocrine Surgery, host these courses," he explained, noting that Istinye University was the venue for this year's course in Türkiye.
It Was an Enjoyable and Productive Training Experience
Prof. Dr. Dural remarked on the diverse participation in the course, saying, "Trainees from Türkiye and around the world attended. Participants came from European countries such as Italy, France, Austria, Germany, England, Spain, and Greece, as well as from distant locations like Panama, Nepal, Jordan, and India. For both the trainees and us educators, it was a productive and enjoyable experience. We plan to continue organizing events and courses for this surgical method regularly in various parts of the world and in our country."
Participation of National and International Trainers
The course was directed by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cem Dural, a faculty member of the ISU Faculty of Medicine and a specialist in Endocrine Surgery, alongside Prof. Dr. Özer Makay, a former faculty member at Ege University. The course's secretariat was managed by Asst. Prof. Yiğit Türk from Ege University.
Several national and international academics served as instructors, including:
• Prof. Dr. Marco Raffaelli from Sacre Cuore University of Rome, Augustino Gemelli Faculty of Medicine, Italy
• Prof. Dr. Andrea Casaril from Verona University Faculty of Medicine
• Prof. Dr. Philipp Riss from Vienna University Faculty of Medicine, Austria
• Prof. Dr. Fatih Tunca, former faculty member of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
• Prof. Dr. Atakan Sezer from Trakya University
• Prof. Dr. Serkan Teksöz from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa
• Assoc. Prof. İsmail Cem Sormaz from Istanbul University
• Assoc. Prof. Murat Özdemir from Ege University
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurcihan Aygün from Health Sciences University, Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital
• Prof. Dr. Mustafa Ayberk Kurt from the ISU Department of Anatomy