Robot-assisted excision of thyroglossal duct cyst: a scoping review

The objective of this study is to comprehensively describe the use of robotic surgery for the excision of thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) in the literature. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases were searched. Screening, selection, data extraction, and quality analysis were performed by two independent authors using pre-defined criteria. Conflicts were resolved by independent senior authors. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. From 25 unique articles, 14 articles were selected, describing 26 distinct patients with lingual (n = 16), suprahyoid (n = 1), or infrahyoid (n = 9) TGDCs treated with robotic surgery. The median age was 11 years (IQR = 17). A simple transoral approach was performed for all lingual TGDCs (n = 16). Suprahyoid and infrahyoid TGDCs were treated using transvestibular sublingual (n = 1), postauricular (n = 8), and bilateral axillary-breast (n = 1) approaches. No intraoperative complications were reported. Post-operative complications included minor bleeding (n = 1), oral-cutaneous fistula (n = 1), nerve weakness (n = 1), and seroma (n = 1). No recurrences were reported across a median follow-up of 16 months (IQR = 7.5). The current available evidence is limited to small case series and reports. This study demonstrates low complication rates, no reported recurrences, and favorable recovery in patients undergoing TGDC excision, supporting the role of robotic surgery as a safe and effective option in select cases.