Among the other robot-assisted thyroidectomy (RT) approaches (facelift approach, bilateral-axillary breast approach (BABA)), the transaxillary became the most popular. The initial RATS was performed via two incisions (axillary and anterior chest wall), but later the modification using a single axillary incision was described.1,3 The RATS has gained much popularity over the past 6 years, with several groups publishing their successful experience. However, since the conventional approach is safe, effective, and time-honored, some surgeons doubt the value of using robotic thyroid surgery and its clinical Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical use.6

Although several eligibility criteria to RATS were described, no standard selection criteria have been established.7 Absolute contra-indications are previous neck surgery or irradiation, retrosternal Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical thyroid extension, and advanced thyroid disease (invasion of trachea, esophagus, distant metastases). Relative contra-indications are patient co-morbidities, age, obesity, very large goiters, well-differentiated carcinomas with a diameter larger than 2 cm, lateral neck metastases, and previous ipsilateral shoulder dysfunction.4,8,9 ADVANTAGES OF RATS The most obvious advantage of RATS over conventional cervical thyroidectomy is that it eliminates the need for any cervical incision. This cosmetic aspect makes RATS appealing especially to young female patients and those with a tendency toward keloid formation. Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical The RATS has several technical

advantages over the open and endoscopic approaches. First, the robotic system provides three-dimensional magnified visualization, which enables an easier identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and parathyroid glands compared to the Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical cervical approach. Second, it eliminates the learn more natural surgeon tremor; and, third, it enables a wider range of motion through the robot’s endowrist and the articulations of the arms. All of these result in minimal complication rates and Inhibitors,research,lifescience,medical excellent cancer control and functional results. In addition, the improved visualization and surgical ergonomics

provide for reduced musculoskeletal discomfort Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II to the surgeon compared with open or endoscopic surgery. RATS was found to yield better patient outcomes, including reduced pain and increased cosmetic satisfaction, as well as lower rates of paresthesia, postoperative voice change, and swallowing discomfort.5 DISADVANTAGES OF RATS On the other hand, due to the new approach to the surrounding anatomy and the loss of tactile sensation, RATS introduces potential new complications such as tracheal and esophageal injury. Very few studies accounted for such complications and then only in a minor way with no need to convert to open thyroidectomy.1 In addition, due to the ipsilateral arm position, there is a risk of brachial plexus neuropathy. This risk can be reduced by placing the arm in a flexed overhead 90 degrees position, thereby reducing the chance of stretching the nerves.