Comparison Between the Axillary Bilateral-breast Approach (ABBA) and Bilateral Axillo-breast Approach (BABA) for Robotic Thyroidectomy

Comparison Between the Axillary Bilateral-breast Approach (ABBA) and Bilateral Axillo-breast Approach (BABA) for Robotic Thyroidectomy

The purpose of this study is to compare the therapeutic effects between the axillary bilateral-breast approach (ABBA) and bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) for robotic thyroidectomy.To explore the efficacy, safety, cosmetic results and clinical value by the two approaches.

Although several reports on operative outcomes of the robotic technique have appeared, no prospective trials comparing the clinical results of between the axillary bilateral-breast approach (ABBA) and bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) for robotic thyroidectomy have been described. The investigators therefore designed a prospective trial comparing outcomes, including surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction, between patients undergoing robotic and conventional open thyroidectomy.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. the initial surgery
2. preoperative needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid cancer, and the diameter of no more than 1cm, no lateral neck lymph node metastasis
3. the tumor is confined to the thyroid membrane, not invading trachea and recurrent laryngeal nerve
4. intraoperative frozen section diagnosis of thyroid cancer
5. the patient informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. high-frequency ultrasound preoperative tumor diameter greater than 1cm, or lateral neck lymph node metastasis in patients
2. there had been a history of thyroid surgery or neck radiation therapy
3. pregnant or lactating women
4. with severe Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid volume greater than II °
5. coagulation disorders, hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism patients
6. sternal goiter.