title: Robotic thyroidectomy using bilateral axillo-breast approach: Comparison of surgical results with open conventional thyroidectomy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.forename: Hoon Yub
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hye Yoon
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung Pil
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Sang Uk
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Gil Soo
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Jae Bok
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jeoung Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bae
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla / Q000601:surgery; D001940:Breast / Q000601:surgery; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: bilateral axillo-breast approach; oncoplastic thyroid surgery; robotic thyroidectomy