Robotic thyroidectomy using bilateral axillo-breast approach: Comparison of surgical results with open conventional thyroidectomy

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the surgical outcomes of robotic thyroidectomy using the bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) with open conventional thyroidectomy. Methods: Database of patients who underwent thyroidectomy with cervical lymph node dissection after diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma between July 2008 and February 2013 were examined. Clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative morbidities of robot group and open group were investigated. Results: The dominant tumor size (P = 0.974), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.426), and the mean number of metastatic lymph nodes in central compartment neck dissection (P = 0.269) were comparable between the two groups. The mean number of retrieved central lymph nodes was higher in the open group than in the robot group (P = 0.001). Postoperative complications were comparable: hypoparathyroidism in 2 weeks (P = 0.296) and 3 months (P = 0.446) after the surgery; vocal cord palsy in 2 weeks (P = 0.363) and 3 months (P = 0.312); hematoma (P = 0.162); and wound infection (P = 0.421). Conclusions: Robotic thyroidectomy using BABA may be a technically feasible and safe procedure comparable to conventional open surgery especially in node-negative patients.