Patient attitudes toward transaxillary robot-assisted thyroidectomy

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Transaxillary robot-assisted thyroidectomy is an emerging surgical option.
• Patient acceptance and attitudes toward this technique remain largely unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze patient attitudes towards transaxillary robot-assisted thyroidectomy.
• To identify factors influencing patient preference for this novel surgical approach.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 596 thyroidectomy patients was surveyed.
• Utilized the Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire and SF-36 Health Survey.
• Assessed sociodemographic and surgical characteristics.

Main Results:

• Only 11.6% preferred the transaxillary method, citing concerns about pain, duration, and cost.
• A worse neck scar appearance correlated with increased preference for the transaxillary approach (p=0.025).
• Younger patients (p=0.003) and those with benign/uncertain neoplasms (p=0.022) showed more positive views.

Conclusions:

• Conventional thyroidectomy patients generally do not favor the transaxillary robotic approach.
• Perceived disadvantages include increased pain, longer operative times, and higher costs.
• Younger patients, those with poor scar appearance, and benign thyroid conditions are more receptive.