Transoral robot-assisted excision of a lingual thyroid gland

Abstract

Lingual thyroid is a rare condition in which ectopic thyroid tissue is present in the base of tongue. We present a case of a 46-year-old patient with a symptomatic lingual thyroid that was successfully removed with minimal morbidity using transoral robotic surgery. The traditional treatment algorithm for lingual thyroid is reviewed. The advantages of using transoral robotic surgery to remove lingual thyroid tissue are described along with the reasons why the addition of this technique should shift treatment of lingual thyroid towards more frequent use of surgical ablation. This report is, to our knowledge, the first describing the use of transoral robotic surgery for treating lingual thyroid.

Transoral robotic excision of ectopic lingual thyroid: Case series and literature review

“…Therefore, more invasive open approaches, including lateral transcervical approaches, and midline labiotomy, or mandibulotomy, have been described . The emergence of TORS has provided a safe and effective option to access and dissect the oropharynx, and this technique has been recently successfully applied in a single case in the treatment of a lingual thyroid . These cases illustrate the safety and implementation of this technique and add credence to TORS as a valid option in the treatment of this pathology.…”

Transoral robotic resection of lingual thyroid: case report

“…These advantages enable easier, faster and safer surgery, especially for larger lesions which extend posteriorly to the vallecula. A literature review identified only one previous report of this approach, in a case involving a smaller lesion 9 Lingual thyroid is an uncommon conditionOpen surgical approaches have traditionally been used for removalSafe use of transoral robotic resection is presentedUnderstanding intralingual neurovascular anatomy is essential for safety…”

Transoral robotic resection of a lingual thyroglossal duct cyst

“…The low recurrence rate of LTGDC after endoscopic management and increased experience using transoral robotic surgery for management for base of tongue squamous cell carcinomas [9, 12] and lingual thyroids [10] laid the foundation for the removal of a LTGDC via this approach, which allows for two-handed manipulation, three-dimensional visualization, tremor filtration, and increased dexterity over endoscopic instrumentation. Future studies will need to confirm that the recurrence rate is similar to established endoscopic approaches to LTGDC.…”

“…As opposed to traditional endoscopic approaches, the robot allows for precise bimanual tissue manipulation with high-resolution three-dimensional visualization. It has been successfully used to remove a lingual thyroid gland [10]. We describe our experience removing a LTGDC with a transoral robotic surgery (TORS) approach.…”