Robotic thyroid surgery: need for initial stricter patient selection criteria

Robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy: time to expand indications?

In 2016, the American Thyroid Association published a statement on remote-access thyroid surgery claiming that it should be reserved to patients with thyroid nodule ≤ 3 cm, thyroid lobe < 6 cm and without thyroiditis. We retrospectively enrolled all patients who underwent robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy between February 2012 and March 2022. We compared surgical outcomes between patients who presented a thyroid gland with a nodule ≤ 3 cm, thyroid lobe < 6 cm and without thyroiditis (Group A) and patients without these features (Group B). The rate of overall complications resulted comparable (p = 0.399), as well as the operative time (p = 0.477) and the hospital stay (p = 0.305). Moreover, bleeding resulted associated to thyroid nodule > 3 cm (p = 0.015), although all bleedings but one occurred in the remote-access site from the axilla to the neck. In experienced hands, robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy is feasible and safe even in patients with large thyroid nodules or thyroiditis.

Single Surgeon Experience with 500 Cases of the Robotic Bilateral Axillary Breast Approach (BABA) for Thyroid Surgery Using the Da-Vinci Xi System

Objectives: Robotic bilateral axillary breast approach (BABA) thyroid surgery began in 2008 and is now one of the most widely used remote-access thyroid surgeries worldwide. This study aimed to analyze the results of 500 robotic BABA thyroid surgeries performed in a single institution in Korea compared with open thyroid surgery. Methods: From December 2018 to March 2020, 502 robotic BABA thyroidectomies (RTs) and 531 conventional open thyroidectomies (OTs) were performed in our institution by a single endocrine surgeon. We retrospectively reviewed patient medical records and performed a comparative analysis of OT and RT. Results: The RT group was younger (43.41 ± 11.41 versus 54.28 ± 13.41 years, p < 0.001) and had a higher proportion of females (84.3% versus 69.3%, p < 0.001), a lower BMI (24.66 ± 3.97 versus 25.83 ± 4.07 kg/m²), a higher proportion of lobectomies (52.6% versus 45.2%) and a lower proportion of lateral neck dissections (3.4% versus 10.0%, p < 0.001). The RT group had a longer operation time (145.33 ± 40.80 versus 93.39 ± 43.55 min, p < 0.001) and higher surgical costs. Although the OT group had a larger tumor size and a higher proportion of extrathyroidal extension, the numbers of retrieved lymph nodes were not significantly different between the two groups. Additionally, there was no difference in the stimulated thyroglobulin level before radioactive iodine therapy (7.01 ± 35.73 versus 8.39 ± 58.77, p = 0.782). The rates of transient vocal cord palsy and transient hypoparathyroidism were significantly lower in the RT group, and those of scar-related complications were higher in the OT group. Conclusions: Robotic BABA thyroid surgery has advantages not only in better cosmetic outcomes but also in lower rates of vocal cord palsy and hypoparathyroidism, with comparable lymph node retrieval and serum thyroglobulin levels.

Prevention of non-recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in robotic thyroidectomy: imaging and technique

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this report was to summarize observations, evaluate the feasibility, provide detailed information concerning proper techniques, and address limitations for non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) dissection and release during the robotic bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) for thyroidectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The BABA approach was used in two cases of thyroidectomy in the setting of NRLN. Preoperative CT imaging findings suggesting the aberrant anatomy are reviewed and technical planning, inclusive of intraoperative nerve monitoring, was employed. Intraoperative videos with narrative discussion of technique for safe dissection are provided, along with supplementary video of additional technical guidance.

RESULTS

In both cases, the NRLNs were identified, dissected, and preserved. We dissected the proximal segment of each NRLN to its origin. We determined that the use of only the NRLN proximal to distal robotic dissection jeopardized the nerve. The BABA approach with the Type I NRLN is similar to the dissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in transoral thyroidectomy. Due to interference with endoscopic viewing caused by the thyroid cartilage, the Type I NRLN is more challenging to manage both at the laryngeal entry point and its origin from the vagus nerve (VN). For the Type II NRLN, it is essential to identify its point of origin and the reflection of the nerve from the VN. Therefore, modification of nerve dissection to mirror open surgery with bidirectional nerve dissection assisted in avoidance of traction injury to the nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

We presented a video, a detailed description of methods, and discussed limits for NRLN management in robotic BABA. This report included (i) a description of the aberrant anatomy and CT scans to inform surgeons of the possible NRLN locations, (ii) a description of a technique for using the nerve monitor in the robotic surgeries, and (iii) a description of the techniques used to isolate and protect the NRLN during the robotic surgery. In robotic BABA, our NRLN-sparing technique and degree included mainly a multi-directional nerve dissection (i.e., medial-grade, later-grade approach together with proximal to/from distal) using athermal technique. The NRLN-sparing technique is predominantly carried out in an anterior dissection plane.

"Scarless" (in the neck) endoscopic thyroidectomy (SET) with ipsilateral levels II, III, and IV dissection via breast approach for papillary thyroid carcinoma: a preliminary report

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic thyroidectomy with level II dissection has previously been reported to be performed endoscopically via various approaches. However, very few reports were available regarding level II dissection performed via the breast approach. In this article, we reported a series of 12 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients with scarless (in the neck) endoscopic thyroidectomy (SET) via breast approach to level II dissection and evaluated its feasibility and safety.

METHODS

Between January 2011 and March 2013, 12 PTC female patients with suspected lymph node metastasis at level II, III, or IV were selected for this procedure. After completing thyroidectomy and central compartment dissection, dissection of ipsilateral levels II, III, and IV was performed. The steps of endoscopic lateral neck dissection were similar to those of conventional surgery except that the lateral cervical compartment was exposed by splitting the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) longitudinally and dividing between the strap muscles and the anterior margin of the SCM.

RESULTS

This procedure was carried out in all of the 12 patients (Table 1). Mean operative time was 243 min (range 165-355 min). Nine patients (75 %) had lymph node metastasis in the lateral compartment confirmed on the final pathological report. Mean lymph node yield (LNY) in the lateral compartment (including ipsilateral level II, III, and IV dissection) was 21.8 (range 5-42). Five patients (41.6 %) had lymph node metastasis in the ipsilateral level II. The mean LNY in the ipsilateral level II was 6.7 (range 1-14). In 1 of the 12 patients, bleeding from injury to the internal jugular vein in level II was encountered intraoperatively, and a 4-cm upper neck transverse incision was made to stop the bleeding. Average postoperative hospital stay was 5.0 days (range 3-7 days). Table 1 Original article on endoscopic lateral neck dissection (including level II) by other authors Author (Ref.) Year Mean age (years) Tumor size (cm) No. of patients M:F Tech. Type of operation Mean LNY in lateral zone Mean operative time (min) Postoperative bleeding Chyle leakage Mean PHS (days) Wu et al. [13] 2013 43.2 1.88 26 6:20 VAT SLND 8.3 137.7 None None 3.6 Lee et al. [8] 2013 40.2 1.39 62 5:57 Robot MRND 32.8 271.8 None None 6.9 Kang et al. [5] 2012 35.8 1.14 56 10:46 Robot MRND 31.1 277.4 1 5 6 Kang et al. [6] 2011 NA NA 36 NA Robot MRND 27.7 280.91 1 3 NA Kang et al. [4] 2009 NA NA 13 NA AP MRND/SLND 18.8 286 NA NA 5.3 Current article 31.2 1.67 12 0:12 SET SLND 21.8 243 None None 5 Ref. references, No. number, M male, F female, Tech. technique, LNY lymph node yield, PHS postoperative hospital stay, VAT video-assisted thyroidectomy, SLND selective lateral neck dissection, MRND modified radical neck dissection, AP axillary approach, NA not available

CONCLUSIONS

According to the present SET data, level II dissection by SET was a feasible and safe procedure. With reasonable costs and satisfactory cosmetic results, oncoplastic SET via breast approach might gain wider acceptance in the near future.