Jin Kyong Kim1, Cho Rok Lee2, Sang-Wook Kang1, Jong Ju Jeong1, Kee-Hyun Nam1, Woong Youn Chung3. 1. Department of Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea. 2. Department of Surgery, Yongin Severance Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. 3. Department of Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea. woungyounc@yuhs.ac.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma with lateral neck lymph node metastasis requires aggressive operative intervention, including lateral neck dissection. Although several robotic approaches have made precise surgery for thyroid cancer possible, few centers have expanded the technique for application to lateral neck dissections. This study aimed to demonstrate the technical feasibility, cosmetic effectiveness, and safety of robotic transaxillary lateral neck dissection (RTLND) using the da Vinci system. METHODS: From January 2008 to July 2019, 500 patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer with lateral neck node metastasis underwent RTLND. The clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All operations were performed successfully without open conversion. As the primary operation for thyroid cancer, 476 (95.2%) patients underwent unilateral or bilateral RTLND, including robotic total thyroidectomy. The remaining 24 patients (4.8%), all of whom had a recurrence, also underwent RTLND with additional procedures, if needed. The mean operation time for the 500 operations was 293.71 ± 67.22 min. Only five cases had recurrence and required further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: RTLND is technically feasible and safe through the precise manipulation of robotic instruments. While this method is thorough and provides safe and effective surgical outcomes, it also offers the additional advantage of being minimally invasive.
BACKGROUND: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma with lateral neck lymph node metastasis requires aggressive operative intervention, including lateral neck dissection. Although several robotic approaches have made precise surgery for thyroid cancer possible, few centers have expanded the technique for application to lateral neck dissections. This study aimed to demonstrate the technical feasibility, cosmetic effectiveness, and safety of robotic transaxillary lateral neck dissection (RTLND) using the da Vinci system. METHODS: From January 2008 to July 2019, 500 patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer with lateral neck node metastasis underwent RTLND. The clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All operations were performed successfully without open conversion. As the primary operation for thyroid cancer, 476 (95.2%) patients underwent unilateral or bilateral RTLND, including robotic total thyroidectomy. The remaining 24 patients (4.8%), all of whom had a recurrence, also underwent RTLND with additional procedures, if needed. The mean operation time for the 500 operations was 293.71 ± 67.22 min. Only five cases had recurrence and required further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: RTLND is technically feasible and safe through the precise manipulation of robotic instruments. While this method is thorough and provides safe and effective surgical outcomes, it also offers the additional advantage of being minimally invasive.
Authors: Ahmedin Jemal; Rebecca Siegel; Elizabeth Ward; Taylor Murray; Jiaquan Xu; Carol Smigal; Michael J Thun Journal: CA Cancer J Clin Date: 2006 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 508.702