Robotic Thyroidectomy: Facelift Approach

Abstract

Remote access thyroidectomy procedures, in which the cosmetic impact of traditional thyroid surgery is minimized by removing the incision from the visible neck, have been made possible by advances in endoscopic technology. These techniques initially utilized chest or axillary access points, but were not widely adopted in North American practices. Incorporating robotic technology in remote access thyroid surgery provided significant improvements in visualization and maneuverability, ultimately facilitating the development of the robotic facelift thyroidectomy. This procedure approaches the thyroid compartment from a retroauricular incision and offers many advantages over other remote access approaches. As this technique has been more widely implemented, it is proving to be a safe, attractive alternative for patients seeking to completely avoid a visible neck scar.