Safety and Feasibility of Single-Port Trans-Axillary Robotic Thyroidectomy: Experience through Consecutive 100 Cases

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Recently, the single-port (SP) robotic system was introduced for minimally invasive operative techniques. Thus, this study aimed to validate the safety and feasibility of SP trans-axillary robotic thyroidectomy (SP-TART) through experiences in a single tertiary institution. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 100 consecutive patients who underwent SP-TART from October 2021 to June 2022 in Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in Seoul, Korea. We analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and perioperative outcomes, including complications. Results: Less than total thyroidectomy (LTT) was performed in 81, total thyroidectomy (TT) in 16, and TT with modified radical neck dissection (mRND) in 3 patients. The mean operation time (min) was 53.3 ± 13.7, 86.3 ± 15.1, and 245.7 ± 36.7 in LTT, TT, and TT with mRND, respectively. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.0 ± 0.2, 2.1 ± 0.3, and 3.7 ± 1.5 days, respectively. A total of 84 cases of thyroid cancer were included, and 97.6% of them (82 cases) were papillary carcinoma and the rest were follicular and poorly differentiated carcinomas. Regarding complications, five cases had major complications, including three cases of vocal cord palsy and two cases of transient hypoparathyroidism. Conclusions: SP-TART is safe and feasible with a short operation time and a short length of hospital stay.