Minimally invasive thyroid surgery is a lumpectomy lobectomy, which differs from the normal thyroid surgery pathway in that the minimally invasive pathway involves making puncture holes above the areola, or in the axilla bilaterally, and creating a subcutaneous tunnel all the way down to the thyroid gland. The skin flap is then freed and the anterior cervical muscle is incised. Sutures may be needed to suspend the anterior cervical muscle, and then the thyroid gland is completely freed on one side, and the recurrent laryngeal nerve needs to be exposed in order to effectively avoid nerve damage during the procedure. After complete removal of the thyroid gland lobes with ultrasonic scalpel or ligasure, effective hemostasis of the wound, and placement of drains, the wound is closed with sutures.