The most significant benefit of the robotic thyroidectomy is that it results in absolutely no neck scar. Since this procedure accesses the thyroid gland through an incision under the arm, there is no need for an incision, and its subsequent scarring, on the neck.

Demographic studies show that the average age of patients requiring thyroidectomies are women between the ages of 20 and 40, and even though there have been many refinements to thyroid surgery, patients continue to be dissatisfied with the scarring that occurs from open and even most endoscopic thyroidectomies.

“It’s one less worry off the mind of a patient who needs a thyroidectomy,” said Dr. Roberts. “We can obtain the results we need through a minimmally invasive procedure that has real cosmetic benefits. And it’s not just young women who are excited about it, patients of all ages are delighted to hear about this latest advancement in technology.”

Beyond the cosmetic benefits, robotic thyroidectomy is a remarkable advance in how surgeons treat thyroid patients. It enables surgeons to perform endoscopic procedures with more precision because it provides better dexterity in manipulating certain portions of the thyroid, and better visualization to allow deeper structures, such as the recurrent laryngeal nerve (the nerve that goes to your voice box) and parathyroid glands to be seen and more easily protected.

What are the risks and potential complications of having a thyroidectomy?
It’s important to understand that the same risks and complications associated with any operative procedure also apply to thyroidectomies, whether open, endoscopic or robotic. These include: the anesthetic, risk of wound infection and pneumonia.

In addition, there are risks associated specifically to thyroidectomy, which include injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve or the superior laryngeal nerve on the side of the thyroid mass being removed – this results in a hoarse or breathy voice. The likelihood of a permanent injury is in the range of 1%, or one in one hundred cases, for partial thyroidectomies and twice that rate for total thyroidectomies. If this complication were to occur, the voice box usually accommodates, resulting in gradual improvement in voice quality.

In cases where a total thyroidectomy is performed, about one in five patients will have a temporary injury to the parathyroid glands, resulting in a drop in blood calcium level (hypocalcemia). The treatment of hypocalcemia includes calcium tablets and vitamin D supplements, which can be reduced and often discontinued several weeks after surgery.

What is the recovery time from a robotic thyroidectomy?
The recovery time for robotic thyroidectomy is about the same as it is for open or endoscopic surgery – a patient usually spends one day in the hospital following the surgery. This depends primarily on whether the patient develops hypocalcemia and/or experiences any complications as the result of a total thyroidectomy. Patients undergoing a total thyroidectomy will require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy. This is in the form of one small pill taken daily.