Is Transoral Robotic Surgery the Best Surgical Treatment for Lingual Thyroid? A Case-Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Objectives: To highlight the specific outcomes of the current surgical procedures for lingual thyroid excision, for benign and malignant lesions. Methods: We carried out a systematic review of surgical treatments of lingual thyroid, according to the PRISMA method. We conducted our literature search in PubMed and Ovid. Data was collected concerning patient demographics, tumor characteristics, types of surgery performed, and specific intra- and postoperative outcomes of each procedure. Surgical procedures were classified in 4 categories: transcervical approaches, “invasive” transoral approaches (transmandibular and/or tongue splitting), “non-invasive” transoral approaches, and transoral robotic surgery. We detailed the transoral robotic surgical technique through a case report, along with a surgical video. Results: Of 373 peer-reviewed articles found, 40 provided adequate information on surgical management and outcomes for patients with lingual thyroid. “Non-invasive” transoral approaches and transoral robotic surgeries required significantly fewer tracheostomies than “invasive” transoral and transcervical approaches ( P < .001), while there was no statistical difference in the rate of surgical complications between each procedure. Conclusions: Transoral robotic surgery appears to be a feasible, effective, and fast solution for lingual thyroid excision, with excellent short- and long-term surgical outcomes.