title: Revisiting robotic approaches to endocrine neoplasia: do the data support their continued use?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the advent of the robot has revolutionized the modern treatment of endocrine neoplasia, substantial controversies exist on its applicability, safety and benefits over the conventional laparoscopic operations. The present review aims to review the recent literature on various robotic approaches in treating thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pancreatic endocrine neoplasia and see whether its continued use should be supported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In summary, the role of robotic thyroidectomy has been clearly established and should be continued by experienced surgeons on selected patients. Because of the limited availability of evidence, the feasibility of robotic parathyroidectomy has yet to be elucidated. With proven favorable perioperative outcomes, robotic adrenalectomy and pancreatectomy should be continued as potential alternatives to conventional surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robotic endocrine procedures still play a pivotal role in minimally invasive endocrine surgery with demonstrable safety and effectiveness. Future research should embark on prospective randomized-controlled trials on robotic endocrine procedures to collect higher level of evidence and long-term survival data.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin bDivision of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Shirley Yuk-Wah
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Brian Hung-Hin
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000315:Adrenalectomy / Q000379:methods; D004701:Endocrine Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000379:methods; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome