The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) utilizes an intraoral incision, raising concerns about surgical-site infections (SSI) originating from the oral cavity. The types and sources of bacteria that may cause TOETVA infection are not clear, and the optimal antibiotic prevention plan is still unclear, lacking targeted perioperative management.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change for audiologists; this study concerns surgical infection control in transoral thyroid surgery and has no direct relevance to audiology practice.
Bacterial migration control in transoral surgical approaches is a patient-safety concern for surgical teams, but has no meaningful connection to audiology or hearing care.
- 01Bacteria can migrate from the oral cavity to the surgical site during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via the vestibular approach (TOETVA).
- 02A comprehensive oral management protocol was developed to reduce surgical-site infection risk.
- 03This is a surgical microbiology and infection-control study with no audiology relevance.
- 04Findings are relevant to ENT/thyroid surgeons rather than audiologists or hearing specialists.
- 05Protocol development was based on observed bacterial migration patterns in TOETVA procedures.
Bacteria migrate from the oral cavity to the surgical site during TOETVA procedures.
studysupportedA comprehensive oral management process reduces surgical-site infection risk in TOETVA.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42907790
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12893-026-04084-8.
- Journal
- BMC Surgery
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Patients undergoing transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via the vestibular approach (TOETVA)
- Intervention
- Comprehensive oral management protocol to control bacterial migration
Primary outcomes
Bacterial migration patterns during TOETVA; Surgical-site infection rate