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Transoral robot-assisted excision of a lingual thyroid gland

Journal of Robotic Surgery volume 5, pages 217–220 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Lingual thyroid is a rare condition in which ectopic thyroid tissue is present in the base of tongue. We present a case of a 46-year-old patient with a symptomatic lingual thyroid that was successfully removed with minimal morbidity using transoral robotic surgery. The traditional treatment algorithm for lingual thyroid is reviewed. The advantages of using transoral robotic surgery to remove lingual thyroid tissue are described along with the reasons why the addition of this technique should shift treatment of lingual thyroid towards more frequent use of surgical ablation. This report is, to our knowledge, the first describing the use of transoral robotic surgery for treating lingual thyroid.

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Conflict of interests

Drs. May and Padhya have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr. Newman proctors robotic head and neck surgery cases. He is reimbursed by Intuitive Surgical for these services.

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Affiliations

  1. Head and Neck Oncology Program, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 73, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    James T. May IV & Tapan A. Padhya

  2. Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 73, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    James T. May IV & Tapan A. Padhya

  3. Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, 811 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Jason G. Newman

Authors
  1. James T. May IV
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  2. Jason G. Newman
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  3. Tapan A. Padhya
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Correspondence to James T. May IV.

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May, J.T., Newman, J.G. & Padhya, T.A. Transoral robot-assisted excision of a lingual thyroid gland. J Robotic Surg 5, 217–220 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-011-0253-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11701-011-0253-z

Keywords

  • Robotic surgery
  • Lingual thyroid
  • Minimally invasive
  • Transoral