Transoral Thyroidectomy Using A Flexible Robotic System: A Preclinical Cadaver Feasibility Study

Facelift thyroid surgery: a systematic review of indications, surgical and functional outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To investigate indications, surgical and functional outcomes of robotic or endoscopic facelift thyroid surgery (FTS) and whether FTS reported comparable outcomes of other surgical approaches.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus.

REVIEW METHODS

A literature search was conducted about indications, clinical and surgical outcomes of patients who underwent FTS using PICOTS and PRISMA Statements. Outcomes reviewed included age; gender; indications; pathology; functional evaluations; surgical outcomes and complications.

RESULTS

Fifteen papers met our inclusion criteria, accounting for 394 patients. Endoscopic or robotic FTS was carried out for benign and malignant thyroid lesions, with or without central neck dissection. Nodule size and thyroid lobe volume did not exceed 6, 10 cm, respectively. FTS reported comparable outcome with transaxillary or oral approaches about operative time, complication rates or drainage features. The mean operative time ranged from 88 to 220 min, depending on the type of surgery (endoscopic vs robotic hemi- or total thyroidectomy). Conversion to open surgery was rare, occurring in 0-6.3% of cases. The most common complications were earlobe hypoesthesia, hematoma, seroma, transient hypocalcemia and transient recurrent nerve palsy. There was an important disparity between studies about the inclusion/exclusion criteria, surgical and functional outcomes.

CONCLUSION

FTS is a safe and effective approach for thyroid benign and malignant lesions. FTS reports similar complications to conventional thyroidectomy and excellent cosmetic satisfaction.

Modified Larssen solution (MLS)-fixed cadaver model for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) education: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Training formats for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) are limited. Our aim was to create and investigate a TOETVA training model for general and ENT surgeons.

METHODS

A total of 15 modified Larssen solution (MLS) human cadavers were used in the study. A day duration TOETVA human cadaver workshops were offered in two years consecutive. Post-training verbal and online questionnaires were applied to all trainers to evaluate course structure and program, organoleptic characteristics of MLS-fixed human cadavers, and TOETVA training effectiveness. Cost assessment is included in the study.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight participants, i.e., 14 trainers and 84 hands-on (HO) and observer (OB) trainees, attended the workshops, completed the tasks assigned, and fulfilled the questionnaires. Implementation of all steps of TOETVA was approved positively by 89.8% of all participants, 94.4% of HO, and 83.3% of OB trainees. Regarding human cadaver and teaching quality, 10.8 ± 0.8 (10-12) human cadavers were "practical" by 13.2 (94.5%) of the trainers, and by 33.3 (92.5%) of the trainees for all steps of TOETVA. The cadavers were stored for 4.53 years and used 6.27 times repeatedly for endoscopic workshops and research studies. TOETVA workshop cost with repeatable use of MLS-fixed human cadaver is half of other performed TOETVA workshops.

CONCLUSIONS

A TOETVA human cadaver workshop model has not been reported yet. Our findings suggest the feasibility of MLS-fixed human cadaver model for training of TOETVA, preserve the organoleptic properties necessary for the implementation of surgical steps, and reduce the cost.

Evolution of Endoscopic Thyroidectomy: Will a Novel Single Channel Flexible Endoscopic Approach Change the Treatment Paradigm?

Endoscopic thyroidectomy has evolved from a hybrid approach utilizing a laparoscopic assistant and robotic-assistance to pure flexible endoscopic thyroidectomy without laparoscopic assistance. However, all the hybrid approaches are complicated and results in scar somewhere on the body surface. Current experimental and clinical studies focus on the implementation of new minimally invasive approaches such as flexible endoscopic thyroidectomy which leaves no scar on the body surface and easier to perform. Flexible endoscopic thyroidectomy is seeming to be a relatively safe and feasible technique with good outcomes. However, more research, particularly using newly developed tools to further improve this technique, and large scaled practice is needed to make it more available to patients worldwide. This article summarizes established endoscopic thyroidectomy techniques and highlight the pros and cons of different available endoscopic approaches to thyroid resection, and discussed how flexible endoscopic thyroidectomy compares to the well establish techniques and future perspective.

Human cadaveric model for studying the preservation of mental nerve during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy

PURPOSE

Mental nerve (MN) injury can be caused by transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA). The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the location and distribution pattern of MN structures in relation to oral vestibular incisions.

METHODS

Ten cadaver specimens were included, yielding a total of 20 MNs. The difference between standard 10-mm TOETVA median incision and modified incision (i.e. lower and perpendicular) was compared.

RESULTS

All 20 MNs were successfully dissected and presented as bifid (100%), lateral toward medial direction. The branches of MNs were equally distributed into both right and left sides. Standard lateral 5-mm vestibular incisions did not determine any division of MN branches. Two left MNs (25%) and one right MN (12.5%) were injured by standard median vestibular incision. Using a more inferiorly positioned and a vertical median incision, the integrity of MN branches was preserved.

CONCLUSIONS

Standard lateral 5-mm vestibular incisions are safe for determining MN integrity. The 10-mm median vestibular incision divided the medial ramifications of MN at a rate of 12-25%. These may result in MN ipsilateral or bilateral paralysis. Hence, it is recommended to locate the median incision more inferiorly or vertically.