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The false thyroid capsule: new findings

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 August 2013

Y-H Tan ,
G-N Du ,
Y-G Xiao ,
S-Q Guo ,
T Wu ,
P-Z Chen ,
G-B Yan ,
D-X Tan  and
K Wang
Y-H Tan
Affiliation:
Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, People's Republic of China
G-N Du
Affiliation:
Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, People's Republic of China
Y-G Xiao*
Affiliation:
Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, People's Republic of China
S-Q Guo
Affiliation:
Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, People's Republic of China
T Wu
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, the Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
P-Z Chen
Affiliation:
Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, People's Republic of China
G-B Yan
Affiliation:
Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, People's Republic of China
D-X Tan
Affiliation:
Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, People's Republic of China
K Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, People's Republic of China
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Yu-Gen Xiao, Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Nanhai Hospital of Southern Medical University, 40 Fo Ping Rd, Foshan 528200, PR China E-mail: tyh-lee@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Purpose:

The false thyroid capsule is an important anatomical structure involved in thyroidectomy, yet it is rarely studied. This study aimed to define the anatomy of the false thyroid capsule, and its clinical significance.

Methods:

A prospective study was performed involving 151 patients with goitre who underwent thyroid lobectomy. The anatomy of the false thyroid capsule was carefully documented intra-operatively.

Results:

The false thyroid capsule enclosed the inferior and middle thyroid veins and the superior thyroid vessels, forming a mesentery-like structure by attaching to the gland. Once the unilateral lobe had been removed, the thyroid mesentery could be seen to have a C-shaped edge. The recurrent laryngeal nerve, inferior thyroid artery and parathyroid glands were located beneath the C-shaped edge of the thyroid mesentery.

Conclusion:

The thyroid mesentery is a distinctive structure that can be used as a guide for surgical dissection.

Keywords

ThyroidAnatomyRecurrent Laryngeal NerveThyroidectomy
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 9 , September 2013 , pp. 897 - 901
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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