| Current Outcomes and Implications of Transoral Robotic or Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Versus Open Thyroidectomy |
Ken Woo1
, Seung Hoon Woo2
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1Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
2Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea |
| Correspondence |
Seung Hoon Woo ,Tel: +82-41-550-1781, Fax: +82-41-550-7837, Email: lesaby@hanmail.net
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Received: 13 January 2026; Revised: April 5, 2026 Accepted: 13 April 2026. Published online: 11 June 2026. |
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| ABSTRACT |
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Robotic and endoscopic thyroidectomy, including transoral vestibular approaches, has emerged as an alternative to conventional open thyroidectomy for patients who prioritize avoidance of a visible cervical scar. This review summarizes contemporary evidence comparing minimally invasive robotic and endoscopic thyroidectomy with the transcervical approach, focusing on clinical outcomes, safety, and complication profiles. Across large series, comparative cohorts, and recent meta-analyses, major postoperative outcomes appear broadly comparable between approaches for appropriately selected diseases, including rates of transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve dysfunction, transient hypocalcemia, permanent hypoparathyroidism, postoperative hematoma, and surgical site infection. Minimally invasive approaches consistently deliver superior cosmetic satisfaction and may improve early postoperative quality-oflife measures, while typically requiring longer operative times and a dedicated learning curve. Approach-specific events include transient lower lip or chin sensory changes related to mental nerve irritation in transoral techniques, which most often improve over weeks to months when vestibular incisions and flap elevation remain within established safety zones. Rare but serious complications, including carbon dioxide embolism, have been reported, underscoring the importance of strict insufflation protocols and vigilant intraoperative monitoring. Overall, robotic and endoscopic thyroidectomy can provide a safe and effective option with strong patient-centered benefits when performed by experienced teams and applied to well-defined indications. |
| Keywords:
Cosmetic techniquesㆍ Endoscopyㆍ Hypoparathyroidismㆍ Postoperative complicationsㆍ Thyroidectomy |
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