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Updated: May 23, 2026
Gasless Endoscopic Thyroidectomy via the Trans-Axillary Approach
Published on: September 15, 2023
Comparative study of robotic versus endoscopic thyroidectomy by a gasless unilateral axillo-breast or axillary
Kyung Tae1, Yong Bae Ji, Jin Hyeok Jeong
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. kytae@hanyang.ac.kr.
Background:
Robotic thyroidectomy and conventional endoscopic thyroidectomy have not been thoroughly compared. In this study, we compared the potential advantages of robotic versus endoscopic thyroidectomy.
Methods:
We analyzed 218 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic (105 cases) or robotic (113 cases) thyroidectomy using a gasless unilateral axillo-breast or gasless unilateral axillary approach.
Results:
Because of the dexterity of robotic instruments and the improved surgical view, it was subjectively easier and took less time to perform a complete total thyroidectomy and central compartment neck dissection in robotic thyroidectomy. In the case of unilateral lobectomy, endoscopic and robotic thyroidectomy had quite similar surgical outcomes. Cosmetic satisfaction was excellent in both groups.
Conclusion:
In this series by a single surgeon, robotic thyroidectomy was superior to endoscopic thyroidectomy for performing total thyroidectomy and bilateral central compartment neck dissection. However, in terms of cost-effectiveness, endoscopic thyroidectomy was comparable to robotic thyroidectomy in patients who undergo unilateral lobectomy.
