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Annals of Surgical Oncology
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 9/2011

01-09-2011 | Endocrine Tumors

Multicenter Study of Robotic Thyroidectomy: Short-Term Postoperative Outcomes and Surgeon Ergonomic Considerations

Authors: Jandee Lee, MD, PhD, Sang Wook Kang, MD, Jeong Ju Jung, MD, Un Jung Choi, Jong Ho Yun, MD, Kee Hyun Nam, MD, Euy-Young Soh, MD, PhD, Woong Youn Chung, MD, PhD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 9/2011

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Abstract

Background

Robotic thyroidectomy (RT) has recently emerged as a viable approach to thyroid surgery, resulting in better functional and cosmetic outcomes than afforded by open thyroidectomy (OT). The present multicenter study assessed the perioperative outcomes of RT and compared physician perspectives on the musculoskeletal ergonomic parameters associated with OT, endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET), and RT.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the medical records of 2014 consecutive patients who underwent RT, conducted by 7 surgeons, at 4 centers between October 2007 and June 2010. Patient characteristics, perioperative clinical results, complications, and pathologic outcomes were analyzed. Moreover, surgeons were surveyed to gather data on musculoskeletal discomfort experienced during OT, ET, and RT.

Results

Of the 2014 patients, 740 underwent total and 1274 subtotal thyroidectomy. Mean tumor diameter was 0.8 cm, and the mean number of retrieved central lymph nodes was 4.5 ± 3.9 (range 0–28). The rates of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and permanent hypocalcemia were 0.4 and 0.05%, respectively. Neck and/or back pain after OT, ET, and RT was experienced by 100, 85.7, and 28.6% of surgeons, respectively. When surgeons ranked the operative approaches in decreasing order of associated pain, 57.1% indicated ET > OT > RT, 28.6% selected OT > ET > RT, and 14.3% responded ET > RT > OT.

Conclusion

RT is a feasible and safe procedure that may facilitate radical cervical lymph node dissection. Moreover, for surgeons, the RT resulted in less musculoskeletal discomfort than did OT or ET. A larger prospective study, with a longer follow-up, is needed to determine whether RT offers real benefits for both patients and surgeons.
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Metadata
Title
Multicenter Study of Robotic Thyroidectomy: Short-Term Postoperative Outcomes and Surgeon Ergonomic Considerations
Authors
Jandee Lee, MD, PhD
Sang Wook Kang, MD
Jeong Ju Jung, MD
Un Jung Choi
Jong Ho Yun, MD
Kee Hyun Nam, MD
Euy-Young Soh, MD, PhD
Woong Youn Chung, MD, PhD
Publication date
01-09-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 9/2011
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-011-1628-0

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