ENT surgery

Minimally-invasive thyroid surgery involves making a very small incision at a distance from the thyroid gland, such as under the armpit or in the chest. The procedure is performed using endoscopy, i.e. with the aid of a micro-camera, which makes it possible to locate the exact spot where a second incision is made, into which a thin tube with a scalpel-like end is inserted to remove the thyroid.

For some time now, scarless surgery has been achieved using surgical endoscopes that are inserted into the nostrils. 

'These are less invasive procedures which exploit the natural access of the airways to address nasal polyposis, now it is also used to remove tumours' - explains Alberto Dragonetti - Otolaryngologist -. 'When possible, there are no fractures of the bones of the face so to achieve shorter hospital stays and recovery times and excellent results. For this type of surgery, we have many miniaturised instruments such as pliers, drills and lasers to be able to operate in an area of a few millimetres with a very limited room for manoeuvre. Even the evolution of images is making continuous steps forward. Today, we can count on video cameras and screens that offer 4K images with ever sharper details. In addition, the 3D display system allows us to have images in which the surgeon has the perception of depth. The system uses the combination of a dedicated monitor and three-dimensional viewers worn by surgeons. All this translates into greater precision.'

The advanced intraoperative navigation system is also of fundamental importance, using both the CT images that can be fused with the resonance images, offering greater precision and safety.

Tumours that develop in the nasal cavity and sinuses are rare and account for less than 1% of all cancers and about 3-5% of upper respiratory tract cancers. These cancers mainly affect adults after a certain age (in four out of five cases over 55) and men are slightly more likely to get sick than women. The most common forms of cancer are those affecting the nasal cavity and the maxillary sinuses; tumours of the ethmoid sinuses are less common; those of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses are very rare.

Among the risk factors are the inhalation of some dusts, such as those deriving from the processing of wood, leather, fabrics, flour, or nickel and chromium powders and others. For people employed in these industries, the risk of developing one of these neoplasms increases if there is not adequate airway protection. Smoking also contributes to the onset of these cancers. Among the less certain risk factors are glues, formaldehyde and organic solvents but care should still be taken around these substances.