Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Endoscopic and Robotic Thyroidectomy: An Evidence Approach

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Evidence-Based Endocrine Surgery

  • 600 Accesses

Abstract

Thyroidectomy performed via the midline transverse incision remains the standard thyroidectomy approach ever since Theodor Kocher revolutionised thyroid surgery with his technique in the 1800s. With enhanced optics and development of energy devices capable of sealing moderate-calibre (5–8 mm) vessels, the ability to perform thyroidectomy through small midline incisions or via remote access incisions is made possible. Moreover, the desire of some patients to avoid conspicuous midline neck scars led to the push for alternate approaches to the thyroid through remote-access incisions. In this chapter, we will review the evidence in the use of endoscopic and robotic thyroidectomy in the management of thyroid diseases.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    The ATA statement did not qualify the definition of thin habitus, but many authors have used an arbitrary BMI cutoff of less than 35–40 in transaxillary and retroauricular thyroidectomies [12, 13].

References

  1. Miccoli P, Berti P, Marco R, Massimo C, Materazzi G, Galleri D. Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy. Am J Surg. 2001;181:567–70. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLG.0b013e318162cad6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Pisanu A, Podda M, Reccia I, Porceddu G, Uccheddu A. Systematic review with meta-analysis of prospective randomized trials comparing minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) and conventional thyroidectomy (CT). Langenbeck’s Arch Surg. 2013;398(8):1057–68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-013-1125-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Ikeda Y, Takami H, Niimi M, Kan S, Sasaki Y, Takayama J. Endoscopic thyroidectomy by the axillary approach. Surg Endosc. 2001;15(11):1362–4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004640080139.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Ohgami M, Ishii S, Arisawa Y, et al. Scarless endoscopic thyroidectomy: breast approach for better cosmesis. Surg Laparosc Endosc. 2000;10(1):1–4. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0033967740&partnerID=tZOtx3y1.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kang SW, Lee SC, Lee SH, et al. Robotic thyroid surgery using a gasless, transaxillary approach and the da Vinci S system: the operative outcomes of 338 consecutive patients. Surgery. 2009;146(6):1048–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2009.09.007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Byeon HK, Kim DH, Chang JW, et al. Comprehensive application of robotic retroauricular thyroidectomy: the evolution of robotic thyroidectomy. Laryngoscope. 2016;126(8):1952–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.25763.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Wilhelm T, Metzig A. Endoscopic minimally invasive thyroidectomy (eMIT): a prospective proof-of-concept study in humans. World J Surg. 2011;35(3):543–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-010-0846-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Nakajo A, Arima H, Hirata M, et al. Trans-oral video-assisted neck surgery (TOVANS). A new transoral technique of endoscopic thyroidectomy with gasless premandible approach. Surg Endosc. 2013;27(4):1105–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-012-2588-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Wang C, Zhai H, Liu W, et al. Thyroidectomy: a novel endoscopic oral vestibular approach. Surgery (United States). 2014;155(1):33–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2013.06.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Anuwong A. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach: a series of the first 60 human cases. World J Surg. 2016;40(3):491–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3320-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Berber E, Bernet V, Fahey T 3rd, et al. American Thyroid Association statement on remote access thyroid surgery. Thyroid. 2016;26(3):331–7. https://doi.org/10.1089/thy.2015.0407.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Terris DJ, Singer MC, Seybt MW. Robotic facelift thyroidectomy: II. Clinical feasibility and safety. Laryngoscope. 2011;121(8):1636–41. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.21832.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Holsinger FC, Chung WY. Robotic thyroidectomy. Otolaryngol Clin N Am. 2014;47(3):373–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otc.2014.03.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Lee KE, Kim E, Koo DH, Choi JY, Kim KH, Youn YK. Robotic thyroidectomy by bilateral axillo-breast approach: review of 1026 cases and surgical completeness. Surg Endosc. 2013;27(8):2955–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-013-2863-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Lee J, Yun JH, Choi UJ, Kang SW, Jeong JJ, Chung WY. Robotic versus endoscopic thyroidectomy for thyroid cancers: a multi-institutional analysis of early postoperative outcomes and surgical learning curves. J Oncol. 2012;2012:1. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/734541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Byeon HK, Holsinger FC, Tufano RP, et al. Endoscopic retroauricular thyroidectomy: preliminary results. Surg Endosc. 2016;30(1):355–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4202-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Choi JY, Lee KE, Chung KW, et al. Endoscopic thyroidectomy via bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA): review of 512 cases in a single institute. Surg Endosc. 2012;26(4):948–55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-011-1973-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Bakkar S, Materazzi G, Biricotti M, et al. Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) from A to Z. Surg Today. 2016;46(2):255–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-015-1241-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Miccoli P, Biricotti M, Matteucci V, Ambrosini CE, Wu J, Materazzi G. Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: reflections after more than 2400 cases performed. Surg Endosc. 2015;30:2489–95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4503-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Shimazu K, Shiba E, Tamaki Y, et al. Endoscopic thyroid surgery through the axillo-bilateral-breast approach. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2003;13(3):196–201. https://doi.org/10.1097/00129689-200306000-00011.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Lee HY, You JY, Woo SU, et al. Transoral periosteal thyroidectomy: cadaver to human. Surg Endosc. 2015;29(4):898–904. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-014-3749-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Witzel K, Von Rahden BHA, Kaminski C, Stein HJ. Transoral access for endoscopic thyroid resection. Surg Endosc. 2008;22(8):1871–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-007-9734-6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Clark JH, Kim HY, Richmon JD. Transoral robotic thyroid surgery. Gland Surg. 2015;4(5):429–34. https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2227-684X.2015.02.02.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Holsinger FC, Terris DJ, Kuppersmith RB. Robotic thyroidectomy: operative technique using a transaxillary endoscopic approach without CO2 insufflation. Otolaryngol Clin N Am. 2010;43(2):381–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otc.2010.01.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Singer MC, Terris DJ. Robotic facelift thyroidectomy. Otolaryngol Clin N Am. 2014;47(3):425–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otc.2014.02.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Ikeda Y, Takami H, Sasaki Y, Takayama J, Niimi M, Kan S. Comparative study of thyroidectomies: endoscopic surgery vs conventional open surgery. Surg Endosc. 2002;16(12):1741–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-002-8830-x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Zhang P, Zhang HW, Han XD, Di JZ, Zheng Q. Meta-analysis of comparison between minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy and conventional thyroidectomy. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015;19(8):1381–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Lee J, Nah KY, Kim RM, Ahn YH, Soh EY, Chung WY. Differences in postoperative outcomes, function, and cosmesis: open versus robotic thyroidectomy. Surg Endosc. 2010;24(12):3186–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-010-1113-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Jackson N, Yao L, Tufano RP, Kandil E. Safety of robotic thyroidectomy approaches: meta-analysis and systematic review. Head Neck. 2014;10(1002):137–43. https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Choi SH, Baek JH, Lee JH, et al. Initial clinical experience with BRAF V600E mutation analysis of core-needle biopsy specimens from thyroid nodules. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2016;84(4):607–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/cen.12866.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Son SK, Kim JH, Bae JS, Lee SH. Surgical safety and oncologic effectiveness in robotic versus conventional open thyroidectomy in thyroid cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015;22:3022–32. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-015-4375-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Chung E-J, Park M-W, Cho J-G, et al. A prospective 1-year comparative study of endoscopic thyroidectomy via a retroauricular approach versus conventional open thyroidectomy at a single institution. Ann Surg Oncol. 2015;22(9):3014–21. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-014-4361-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lang BHH, Wong CKH, Tsang JS, Wong KP. A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes between robotic-assisted thyroidectomy and non-robotic endoscopic thyroidectomy. J Surg Res. 2014;191(2):389–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2014.04.023.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kiong KL, Iyer NG, Skanthakumar T, et al. Transaxillary thyroidectomies: a comparative learning experience of robotic vs endoscopic thyroidectomies. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(5):820–6. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599815573003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Lee S, Lee CR, Lee SC, et al. Surgical completeness of robotic thyroidectomy: a prospective comparison with conventional open thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients. Surg Endosc. 2014;28(4):1068–75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-013-3303-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Bakkar S, Frustaci G, Papini P, et al. Track recurrence after robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy: a case report highlighting the importance of controlled surgical indications and addressing unprecedented complications. Thyroid. 2016;26(4):559–61. https://doi.org/10.1089/thy.2015.0561.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Lee SG, Lee J, Kim MJ, et al. Long-term oncologic outcome of robotic versus open total thyroidectomy in PTC: a case-matched retrospective study. Surg Endosc. 2016;30(8):3474–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4632-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Lang BH-H, Wong CKH, Tsang JS, Wong KP, Wan KY. A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing surgically-related complications between robotic-assisted thyroidectomy and conventional open thyroidectomy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2014;21(3):850–61. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-013-3406-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Ban EJ, Yoo JY, Kim WW, et al. Surgical complications after robotic thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma: a single center experience with 3,000 patients. Surg Endosc. 2014;28(9):2555–63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-014-3502-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Kim SK, Kang SY, Youn HJ, Jung SH. Comparison of conventional thyroidectomy and endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillo-bilateral breast approach in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients. Surg Endosc. 2016;30(8):3419–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4624-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Kwon H, Yi JW, Song R-Y, et al. Comparison of bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic thyroidectomy with open thyroidectomy for graves’ disease. World J Surg. 2016;40(3):498–504. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-016-3403-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Abdel Raheem A, Sheikh A, Kim DK, et al. Da Vinci Xi and Si platforms have equivalent perioperative outcomes during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: preliminary experience. J Robot Surg. 2016;11:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-016-0612-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Morelli L, Guadagni S, Di Franco G, et al. Use of the new da Vinci Xi® during robotic rectal resection for cancer: a pilot matched-case comparison with the da Vinci Si®. Int J Med Robot. 2016;7(April):375–92. https://doi.org/10.1002/rcs.1728.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore

    Xueying Goh & Chwee Ming Lim

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Chwee Ming Lim

Authors
  1. Xueying Goh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chwee Ming Lim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chwee Ming Lim .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrine Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    Rajeev Parameswaran

  2. Department of Endocrine Surgery, SGPGI Hospital, Lucknow, India

    Amit Agarwal

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Goh, X., Lim, C.M. (2018). Endoscopic and Robotic Thyroidectomy: An Evidence Approach. In: Parameswaran, R., Agarwal, A. (eds) Evidence-Based Endocrine Surgery. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1124-5_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-1124-5_17

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-1123-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-1124-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation