Perioperative clinical outcomes after robotic thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma: a multicenter study

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Robotic thyroidectomy is emerging as an alternative to endoscopic thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma.
• Robot techniques offer advantages over conventional endoscopic procedures by overcoming limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the largest multi-institution clinical study on robotic thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinomas.
• To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of robotic thyroidectomy using a gasless transaxillary approach.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 1,043 patients with low-risk differentiated thyroid carcinoma who underwent robotic thyroidectomy.
• Operations were performed between October 2007 and August 2009 by five surgeons across four academic centers.
• Analysis of perioperative, clinical, and pathological data.

Main Results:

• 1,043 patients (71 men, 972 women) underwent robotic thyroidectomy without conversion to open or endoscopic procedures.
• Mean operation time was 132.4 minutes, console time was 63.9 minutes, with 1% major postoperative morbidities.
• Mean tumor size was 0.8 cm, with a mean of 5.1 lymph nodes retrieved. Mean hospital stay was 2.9 days.

Conclusions:

• Robotic thyroidectomy via gasless transaxillary approach is feasible and safe for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
• The robotic technique provides good clinical outcomes and overcomes technical limitations of conventional endoscopy.
• This study supports robotic thyroidectomy as a viable option for selected thyroid cancer patients.