Wan Wook Kim1, Jin Ah Choi2, Jeeyeon Lee2, Jin Hyang Jung2, Ho Yong Park2. 1. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea. Electronic address: kww1324@naver.com. 2. Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of complete central compartment node dissection (CCND) using fluorescence imaging (FI) during robotic thyroidectomy. METHODS: A total of 110 patients underwent robotic thyroidectomy and CCND from August 2015 to June 2016; 55 patients underwent robotic surgery using FI (FI group) and the other 55 patients without it (control group). The FI group was injected with indocyanine green into the thyroid to enhance the identification of lymph nodes (LNs). RESULTS: Indocyanine green-stained LNs were easily detected using FI. The number of harvested LNs was 7.0 in the FI group and 4.8 in the control group (P = 0.004). There was lower rate of transient hypocalcemia in the FI group (18.5%) than control group (26.7%), but there was no significant difference (P = 0.417). There were no other significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of FI during robotic thyroidectomy facilitated the identification of LNs and guided complete CCND.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of complete central compartment node dissection (CCND) using fluorescence imaging (FI) during robotic thyroidectomy. METHODS: A total of 110 patients underwent robotic thyroidectomy and CCND from August 2015 to June 2016; 55 patients underwent robotic surgery using FI (FI group) and the other 55 patients without it (control group). The FI group was injected with indocyanine green into the thyroid to enhance the identification of lymph nodes (LNs). RESULTS:Indocyanine green-stained LNs were easily detected using FI. The number of harvested LNs was 7.0 in the FI group and 4.8 in the control group (P = 0.004). There was lower rate of transient hypocalcemia in the FI group (18.5%) than control group (26.7%), but there was no significant difference (P = 0.417). There were no other significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The use of FI during robotic thyroidectomy facilitated the identification of LNs and guided complete CCND.