Robotic Thyroidectomy – A newer alternative to an open Thyroidectomy avoiding scar in neck
Robotic Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure where a thyroid that is no longer functioning properly, is removed through an incision in the armpit.
What is a Thyroidectomy?
A thyroidectomy is a surgery where either a part of, or all of a diseased thyroid is removed. The thyroid glad is a small butterfly shaped gland that releases hormones that regulate the metabolic activity in the body and a thyroidectomy is used to treat some disorders of the thyroid, such as cancers, enlargement (known as a goiter) and sometimes a hyperactive thyroid.
A thyroidectomy can include partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland, depending on the condition and its severity.
Robotic Thyroidectomy
Around 9 years ago a young doctor came with. Thyroid adenoma and she wanted a neck scarless Thyroidectomy as she was planning marriage soon and didn’t want a scar in neck. This forced us to start neck scarless surgeries for neck node dissections, thyroid etc.,
Then I decided to visit Severance Robotic Institute and train under Dr. Chung whoa has larges experience in trans auxiliary Thyroidectomy. I dint have his contact no but could secure his email. I mailed him and was asked to come to Seoul. I got trained under him on cadaver and got certified. It is important to go to the best and check whether we are doing the correct technique and not harming the patients.
Robotic thyroidectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique to perform a thyroidectomy, by using the da Vinci system.
In the case of a ‘scarless surgery’, an incision is made in the armpit of the person getting the surgery and the thyroid gland is removed through this. To be able to gain access to the thyroid gland, the tissue of the chest is lifted and and the instruments used to operate are sent in through that space.
This technique allows for the entire surgery to be done through one single incision rather than two, as is with the alternative. This is particularly advantageous because this means a quicker recovery period, shorter stays the hospital and less time away from the routine.
We can also do via an incision in gingival lingual sulcus avoiding not only neck but also armpit and breast incisions . It is tough but our team has started this procedure 4 years ago and doing since then.
BABA or RABBIT are other techniques of avoiding scar in neck. In thi we operate through m pit incisions and periareolar incisions.
How is it done?
The Robotic surgery is done using the da Vinci system which has four hands, which act as micro hand for the surgeon, allowing for very precise movements. One of the four arms has a camera that lets the surgeon see what he is doing. The four arms are controlled and directed by the surgeon who sits at a console. These arms cannot function by themselves and are guided by the surgeon at the console.
This took me to many robotic Institute as mentor for neck scar less thyroidectomies ,most important is SGPGI, Lucknow. Dr. Amit Agarwal and his team have invited me there and we have together don’t more than 24 robotic thyroidectomies. I had the pleasure of participating in the first robotic surgery in Uttar Pradesh ,SGPGI being the first center to acquire the first Xi robot in UP. It was wonderful association of having associated with the first endocrine surgery department in the country and operating so many cases. It was painful to travel with fliegt at 5.30 am and return flight at 10.00 pm and getting delayed many times.But it was worth teaching in a premier institute
What are the advantages of Robotic Surgery over Endoscopic and Open Procedures?
The advantages of Thyroidectomy include:
● No incision in the neck. The incision is made in the armpit, eliminating the need to make a scar on the neck.
● Better view of the thyroid to operate from, than with an Endoscopic Procedure or an Open Surgery because the other two offer only a single view of the thyroid.
● Less cumbersome, making the procedure a lot easier for the doctor and the patient to operate and recover from.
Who is eligible for a Robotic Thyroidectomy?
All of the advantages not withstanding, Robotic Surgery for a Thyroidectomy is not suited for everyone. Robotic surgery works best in this case for patients who fit a certain parameters. These parameters include people being the normal weight, having a thyroid gland that is smaller than 4 cm, nodules that are on only one side of the thyroid gland and are smaller than 2 cm.