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Comparison of Endoscopic and Robotic Thyroidectomy

  • Head and Neck Oncology
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Endoscopic thyroidectomy is a technically challenging procedure. Robot-assisted thyroidectomy has been recently introduced and offers improved visualization and dexterity. The present study compared conventional endoscopic and robotic thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer patients in terms of perioperative outcomes and learning curve. All operations were performed by the same surgeon.

Materials and Methods

Between April 2007 and March 2010, 96 patients underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy (endoscopy group) and 163 patients underwent robotic thyroidectomy (robot group). A gasless transaxillary approach was used in both groups. The 2 groups were compared in terms of patient characteristics, perioperative clinical results, complications, and pathologic details. Learning curves for the 2 procedures were compared based on the number of cases required to reach a consistent operation time.

Results

Patient characteristics were similar for both groups. The mean total operation time for thyroidectomy with central compartment neck dissection was 142.7 ± 52.1 min in the endoscopy group and 110.1 ± 50.7 min in the robot group (P = .041). Both patient groups were similar in terms of pathological features including TNM stage, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay, and complication rate. However, the mean number of retrieved central lymph nodes was 2.4 ± 1.9 for the endoscopy group and 4.5 ± 1.5 for the robot group (P = .004). The learning curve was 55–60 cases for endoscopic thyroidectomy and 35–40 cases for robotic thyroidectomy.

Conclusion

Robotic thyroidectomy was found to be superior to endoscopic thyroidectomy in terms of operation time, lymph node retrieval, and learning curve. Complication rates and postoperative hospital stay were similar for the 2 procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea

    J. Lee MD, J. H. Lee MD, K. Y. Nah MD & E. Y. Soh MD

  2. Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    W. Y. Chung MD, PhD

Authors
  1. J. Lee MD
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  2. J. H. Lee MD
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  3. K. Y. Nah MD
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  4. E. Y. Soh MD
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  5. W. Y. Chung MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. Y. Chung MD, PhD.

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Lee, J., Lee, J.H., Nah, K.Y. et al. Comparison of Endoscopic and Robotic Thyroidectomy. Ann Surg Oncol 18, 1439–1446 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-010-1486-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-010-1486-1

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