title: Robotic transoral periosteal thyroidectomy (TOPOT): experience in two cadavers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transoral techniques for endoscopic thyroidectomy have recently been reported, including a robotic transoral technique to access the thyroid gland. Herein, we developed a robotic transoral periosteal thyroidectomy technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  The da Vinci(®) Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) robot was used in two human cadavers to perform robotic transoral periosteal thyroidectomies. In the first cadaver, the anterior neck was exposed below the platysmal muscle. The anatomical spaces and surgical planes were observed with four ports by a periosteal approach. In the second cadaver, robotic transoral periosteal thyroidectomy was performed using three ports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection were performed in two cadavers using the da Vinci robot with the transoral periosteal approach. Complete thyroidectomy and central neck dissection were possible without injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robotic transoral periosteal thyroidectomy provides superior access to the thyroid and central neck compartment. Transoral thyroidectomy using four ports is a feasible and safe method.
authors: 1 Department of Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine , Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hye Yoon
authors: HY
authors: Lee
authors: Jeremy D
authors: JD
authors: Richmon
authors: Rohan R
authors: RR
authors: Walvekar
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Holsinger
authors: Hoon Yub
authors: HY
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000379:methods; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D010521:Periosteum; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*