Thyroidectomy for Graves' disease: a feasibility study of the robotic transaxillary approach.
BACKGROUND
Graves' disease (GD) is considered a relative contraindication for endoscopic approaches to the thyroid gland, due to a larger gland size and increased vascularity.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of a single surgeon's experience was performed. We included all patients who underwent thyroidectomy for the treatment of GD over a 3-year period.


RESULTS
Twenty-five patients with GD were identified. Twelve of them underwent robotic thyroidectomy and 13 patients underwent conventional thyroidectomy. Age, gender, and BMI were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). The conventional approach allowed for resection of larger thyroid volumes (147.3 ± 153.6 ml), as compared to the robotic approach (62.3 ± 47.8 ml, p = 0.08). The average total operative times were similar in both groups (p = 0.98). There was no difference with respect to intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.49), duration of hospital stay (p = 0.38), and complication rates (p = 0.99).


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic thyroidectomy is feasible and can be safely performed in appropriately selected patients with GD.
Division of Endocrine and Oncological Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La., USA.
Salem I
SI
Noureldine
Lu
L
Yao
Rohan R
RR
Wavekar
Salah
S
Mohamed
Emad
E
Kandil
D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla / Q000601:surgery; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome