Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025
Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: September 15, 2023
Prospective cohort study of parathyroid function and quality of life after total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer:
Xiangquan Qin1, Jia Luo, Jing Ma
1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Southwest Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of the Army Military Medical University, Gaotanyan Street 29, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400038, China.
Objective:
To compare robot-assisted thyroidectomy (RT) and open thyroidectomy (OT) through a prospective cohort study focusing on the rate of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, efficacy, and quality of life (QoL).
Summary Background Data:
Hypoparathyroidism is a frequent complication after thyroidectomy. Reducing the risk of hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy is a crucial and difficult task for thyroid surgeons.
Methods:
We prospectively enroled 306 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma into an RT group and OT group. The former used "super-meticulous" capsular dissection) and the latter used traditional meticulous capsular dissection. Patients were evaluated by scales [Short Form (SF)-36, Visual Impairment Scale (VIS), Swallowing Impairment Scale (SIS), Neck Impairment Scale (NIS), Scar questionnaire (SCAR-Q)].
Results:
The rates of transient hypoparathyroidism, permanent hypoparathyroidism, and transient hypocalcemia after surgery in the OT group and RT group were significantly different ( P <0.001). SIS and VIS scores in the two groups were significantly different ( P <0.001). SF-36 showed significant differences ( P <0.001) in the subsections of "physiological function", "body pain", "general health", "vitality", "social function", "role emotional", and "mental health" between the two groups. SCAR-Q showed that the length and appearance of scars showed significant differences between the two groups.
Conclusions:
RT with Super-meticulous capsular dissection can protect parathyroid function and improve postoperative QoL, and could be a new option for robot-assisted surgery against thyroid cancer.
