Robot-assisted excision of cervical cystic hygroma through a retroauricular hairline approach: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Cystic hygroma is a rare benign abnormality of the lymphatic system generally occurring in young children less than 2 years old. The standard transcervical surgical treatment of cystic hygroma may often leave a permanent scar in the neck region.


METHODS
We report a case of cystic hygroma in a 19-month-old Asian baby girl successfully treated with robot-assisted excision through a hairline neck-lift approach. We present the use of the Yang's retractor as an instrumental advancement to this surgical approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment options for cystic hygroma may be surgical or nonsurgical. We report a case of cystic hygroma in a 19-month-old child successfully treated with robot-assisted excision through a small concealed retroauricular hairline approach. This is the first report in the medical literature of treating cystic hygroma with a minimally invasive robot-assisted excision via a small, concealed, hairline incision.
Department of Surgery, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
Frank Cheau-Feng
FC
Lin
Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Tsung-Lin
TL
Yang
Department of Surgery, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
Min-Che
MC
Tung
Department of Otolaryngology, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, 699, Sec.8, Taiwan Boulevard, Taichung, 43503, Taiwan, ROC. t5722@ms.sltung.com.tw.
Stella Chin-Shaw
SC
Tsai
D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018191:Lymphangioma, Cystic / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods; D012371:Robotics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Cystic hygroma; Minimally invasive surgery; Robotic-assisted surgery