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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
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Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Published on: September 15, 2023
Robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy in children: a retrospective institutional study
Esmat Najjar1,2, Mor Shaked Shukrun1,2, Aiman Elmograbi1,2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Gland Surgery
|June 16, 2026
Summary
Robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy is feasible and safe in pediatric patients, offering a scar-free neck. While operative times are longer than open surgery, outcomes show low morbidity and no recurrence in this initial study.
Area of Science:
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy offers scar-free neck results in adults.
- Pediatric application is limited, despite potential psychosocial benefits.
- Thyroid disease in children can be more aggressive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the feasibility and safety of robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate perioperative outcomes in this specific population.
- To assess the technique's potential in pediatric thyroid disease management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients (age ≤18 years) undergoing robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy.
- Data collected between January 2012 and December 2022.
- Descriptive statistics used; no comparative analysis due to lack of control group.
Main Results:
- Fifteen pediatric patients (mean age 14.3 years) underwent the procedure for various thyroid conditions.
- Mean operative time was 210 minutes, decreasing to 180 minutes in later cases.
- No conversions to open surgery, no vocal cord impairment, and low morbidity (hypocalcemia, seroma) observed.
Conclusions:
- Robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy is technically feasible and safe in selected pediatric patients.
- Low morbidity and short hospital stays were noted.
- Longer operative times and lack of validated outcome data are limitations; further multi-center studies are needed.
