Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: September 15, 2023
Feasibility and surgical approach of transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy without CO(2) insufflation
Carol M Lewis1, Woong Y Chung, F Christopher Holsinger
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Background:
Our objective was to evaluate the anatomic basis for robotic-assisted transaxillary thyroidectomy and to determine its feasibility in a prospective clinical trial.
Methods And Results:
Using the da Vinci Surgical Robotic System, we performed 5 cadaveric dissections, via transaxillary approach without gas insufflation. Once the safety and feasibility of this approach had been demonstrated in cadavers, it was utilized to perform a thyroid lobectomy in a patient. The da Vinci system provided excellent visualization of the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves, parathyroid glands, and paratracheal lymphatics. After the 5 cadaver dissections, the procedure time diminished from >90 minutes to <30 minutes.
Conclusion:
Robotic-assisted transaxillary thyroidectomy is feasible with proper instrumentation and an understanding of the surgical anatomy. Based on this preclinical laboratory study and our experience in 1 patient, further evaluation of this approach in the setting of a prospective clinical trial is warranted to determine standardized criteria identifying patients who would benefit from this approach.
