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Transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy: Belgian team learning from the first 50 cases. Background: In search for less invasive operative techniques, the da Vinci Robot System was introduced in thyroid surgery. Previous studies have reported on safety, effectiveness and improved cosmetics of transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy procedures in selected cases.
Methods: We report on the first 50 patients that have been treated with a gasless transaxillary robot-assisted thyroidectomy in a Belgian institution. We describe the implementation, the operative technique and results of robotic thyroid surgery.
Results: 48 hemithyroidectomy and 2 total thyroidectomy procedures were performed. The mean ultrasound dimensions of the nodules were 3.4±1.0 cm (range 1.0-8.0 cm). The mean operative time was significantly longer than with a conventional open approach: 215 min ± 55 min (range 133 min-347 min). No major complications were observed. All patients were “satisfied” about the cosmetic outcome.
Conclusion: Transaxillary robotic thyroid surgery is demanding, but feasible. Selected patients can benefit from this technique with an optimal cosmetic outcome. Ideal indication in the hand of our team is a hemithyroidectomy for benign nodules ranging up to 5 cm.