Hanyang Med Rev.  2016 Nov;36(4):205-210. 10.7599/hmr.2016.36.4.205.

Robotic thyroidectomy: Evolution and Outcomes

• Song CM
• Tae K

• KMID: 2361193
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7599/hmr.2016.36.4.205

Abstract

Recently robotic thyroidectomy has gained its popularity for the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer and benign thyroid tumors. It has been developed to overcome the drawbacks of conventional open trans-cervical thyroidectomy, which is an apparent neck wound that is visible unless concealed with clothes. Robotic thyroidectomy provides surgeons with three-dimensional magnified view and multiarticulated robotic arms that can stabilize hand tremors. It also has advantages over conventional trans-cervical thyroidectomy that include recovery of voice symptoms and acoustic parameters along with superior cosmetic outcomes. Robotic thyroidectomy results in equivalent surgical outcomes including oncologic safety and complications compared with conventional thyroidectomy. Various approaches including transaxillary, postauricular facelift, and breast-axillary approaches have been developed for robotic thyroidectomy. Recently, the indication of robotic surgery has been extended to neck dissection of the lateral compartment. Herein we summarize the indication, procedures, and efficacy of robotic thyroidectomy, and also introduce our experience with robotic thyroidectomy.

Keyword

robotic thyroidectomy; endoscopic thyroidectomy; thyroid carcinoma; robot; outcomes

MeSH Terms

Acoustics
Arm
Clothing
Hand
Neck
Neck Dissection
Rhytidoplasty
Surgeons
Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Neoplasms
Thyroidectomy*
Tremor
Voice
Wounds and Injuries

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Gasless unilateral axillo-breast approach (right side approach). (A) Incisions consist of a main vertical axillary incision and a minor incision in the circum-areolar margin. (B) After flap dissection, a retractor is inserted in the main axillary space, and a trocar for Prograsp forceps is inserted in the minor incision site.

• 

  Fig. 2 Gasless unilateral axillary approach (right side approach). (A) A main vertical incision is made in the axillary fossa, and a minor incision is made inferior to the main incision. (B) After the flap is dissected, the retractor is inserted in the main axillary incision, and a trocar for Harmonic curved shears is inserted in the accessory incision site.

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