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Updated: May 24, 2026
Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: September 15, 2023
Robotic transaxillary thyroid lobectomy of a follicular neoplasm
Saleh Massasati1, Salem Noureldine, Rizwan Aslam
1Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Purpose:
Minimally invasive thyroid surgery using various techniques is well described. The purpose of this video is to show a robotic-assisted transaxillary right thyroid lobectomy for a follicular neoplasm with intraoperative nerve monitoring and stimulation of recurrent laryngeal nerve. Herein, we show our experience with the technique and its safety and feasibility.
Methods:
We performed a right thyroid lobectomy on a 33-year-old patient using the da Vinci-Si-HD Surgical System. The operation was done via a single axillary incision, 5 cm in length. The flap creation time was approximately 26 min. The robot docking time was 6 min. The recurrent laryngeal nerve was identified and nerve stimulation was used to stimulate with 0.5 milliamps. The operative console time was 21 min. Total operative time was 69 min.
Results:
The procedure was successfully completed. Blood loss was minimal. Postoperative laryngoscopy showed intact and mobile bilateral vocal cords. There were no complications. Patient was discharged 4 h after surgery.
Conclusions:
Robotic transaxillary endoscopic gasless thyroid surgery with monitoring and stimulation of the RLN is feasible and safe. This technique eliminates a visible neck scar and affords excellent high definition optics of the cervical anatomy. This new technique can be accomplished on an outpatient basis.
