A comparative study of robot-assisted transoral-vestibular thyroidectomy and conventional open thyroidectomy

Abstract:

Objective To compare the clinical effect and health economics between the Da Vinci robot-assisted transoral-vestibular thyroidectomy（robot group） and conventional open thyroidectomy（conventional group）.Methods The clinical data of 62 patients undergoing unilateral thyroidectomy by the robot-assisted method or conventional surgery in the Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery，Daping Hospital of Army Medical University，from December 2017 to April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The operative time，drainage tube placement，total postoperative drainage volume，drainage tube placement time，pain score，length of hospital stay，and hospitalization expenses were observed and analyzed.Results The operative time of the robot group was significantly longer than that of the conventional group，while the drainage tube placement，total postoperative drainage volume，drainage tube placement time，and length of hospital stay of the robot group were significantly better than those of the conventional group（all P<0.01）. However，the hospitalization expenses were significantly higher in the robot group than in the conventional group（P<0.001）.Conclusion The Da Vinci robot-assisted transoral-vestibular thyroidectomy is superior to conventional open thyroidectomy in postoperative hospital management and length of hospital stay，with good postoperative cosmetic effect，which is worthy of promotion and application.