Aim: Comparing medial and lateral surgical approach for a patient with Neck Swelling due to Thyroid Nodule- A Case series and retrospective comparative study.

Methodology: Sixteen Patients who Presented with History of swelling in anterior aspect of neck .On external Neck Examination which was firm, non-tender and moves on deglutition. Patients were investigated with general routines, thyroid function tests, X-ray neck and X-Ray chest, USG neck and FNAC. Eight patients were then operated via lateral approach and other eight were operated via midline approach under general anaesthesia. The Excised Mass was Sent For Histopathological Examination. Both the operative groups were then studied for parameters such as operative time, intraoperative bleeding, accessibility of thyroid tissue and accessibility of vital structure ,need for extension of incision, preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and other major vessels, learning curve and cosmesis.

Result: The outcome of both groups are assessed in terms of feasibility, accessibility of vital structures, duration of surgery , intraoperative bleeding and post-op complications. Post-op period was uneventful and the patients were discharged.

Conclusion: Both approaches are equally efficient and have their own merits and demerits.

To be Updated