Endocrinol Metab.  2014 Sep;29(3):226-232. 10.3803/EnM.2014.29.3.226.

Can Robotic Thyroidectomy Be Performed Safely in Thyroid Carcinoma Patients?

• Chai YJ
• Lee KE
• Youn YK

• KMID: 2169457
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2014.29.3.226

Abstract

Since the adoption of the Da Vinci robotic system for remote access thyroid surgery, robotic thyroidectomy (RT) has become a popular surgical option for patients who want to avoid neck scars. Surgeons in South Korea pioneered this surgical technique and have reported successful outcomes. Although many studies have reported that RT is a feasible and safe therapeutic alternative, concerns over the surgical and oncological safety of RT remain. This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of RT and compares the surgical safety and oncological completeness of RT with conventional open thyroidectomy.

Keyword

Thyroid neoplasms; Robotic thyroidectomy; Robot-assisted thyroidectomy; Transaxillary thyroidectomy; Bilateral axillo-breast approach

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Humans
Korea
Neck
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Neoplasms*
Thyroidectomy*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Patient position and flap dissection area (red color) of transaxillary approach (A) and bilateral axillo-breast approach (B).

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