Oncoplastic Thyroid Surgery Using A Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach

Abstract

Since the first use of the robot da Vinci system for thyroid surgery in 2007, robotic thyroidectomy (RT) via a bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) has become a popular surgical alternative for patients who wish to avoid scars on the neck. BABA RT provides excellent cosmetic satisfaction with surgical safety and oncologic completeness. Recently, the use of BABA RT has expanded beyond benign thyroid nodules and small-sized papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) to Graves' disease, relatively large PTCs, and PTC with lateral neck metastasis. Unfortunately, there are concerns about the use of this procedure for these additional indications. This review article summarizes postoperative outcomes of BABA RT for thyroid carcinoma, including quality of life, as well as expanding indications for BABA RT.