Endoscopic and robotic thyroidectomy for cancer

This article focuses on endoscopic and robotic surgical techniques for the treatment of thyroid cancer. The most widely applied techniques are minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy, as well as various combinations using a primarily axillary-based approach. Although there are few large studies delineating the benefits of endoscopic thyroid resection when compared with traditional thyroidectomy, in patients who desire the lack of a cervical incision, endoscopic thyroidectomy provides a safe and oncologically effective surgical option when applied by experienced surgeons. Endoscopic surgical treatment of thyroid disease is a developing field and deserves further study before widespread application.