Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach Robotic Thyroidectomy (BABA RT) Does Not Interfere with Breast Image Follow-Up

Bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic thyroidectomy (BABA RT) is frequently performed and has excellent cosmetic results. However, there has been concern that subcutaneous tunneling in construction of the operation field might interfere with subsequent breast imaging. In this study, we evaluated whether BABA RT interferes with breast imaging by evaluating serial perioperative results of mammography and ultrasonography.

We selected female patients who underwent BABA RT between 2008 and 2012, and who also had mammography or ultrasonography pre- and postoperatively, and compared the results of pre- and postoperative imaging. The results of mammography and ultrasonography were reported according to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS).

A total of 175 nodules from 108 female patients were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 42.9 ± 9.7 years, and the median follow-up period was 34.1 months. Ninety-four patients (87.0%) underwent total thyroidectomy, and 101 patients (93.5%) had malignant thyroid disease. After BABA RT, mammography and ultrasonography were performed an average of 2.9 ± 2.0 times and 3.3 ± 2.0 times per person, respectively. Six patients required breast intervention according to mammography or ultrasonography after BABA RT, and all procedures were successfully conducted.

BABA RT did not cause diagnostic difficulties such as poor sonic window in subsequent breast imaging studies. Routine breast imaging studies for breast nodule follow-up could be performed without difficulties resulting from BABA RT.