THYROID DISORDERS AND ROBOTIC THYROIDECTOMY
Thyroid disorders encompass a wide range of conditions affecting the thyroid gland, including benign thyroid nodules, multinodular goitre, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease, thyroid cysts, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer. These disorders may alter the size and function of the thyroid gland, leading to hormonal imbalance, compressive symptoms, or malignant transformation. Patients may present with a visible neck swelling, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness of voice, breathing difficulty, unexplained weight changes, heat or cold intolerance, palpitations, fatigue, or other symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction.
Robotic thyroidectomy is performed under general anaesthesia with the patient positioned appropriately to facilitate access to the thyroid gland. A remote-access approach, such as the transaxillary, bilateral axillo-breast, or facelift approach, is used to avoid a visible neck incision. Small incisions are made for the placement of robotic ports, through which a high-definition three-dimensional camera and robotic instruments are introduced. After docking the robotic system, a working space is created to expose the thyroid gland. The thyroid lobe or gland is carefully dissected while preserving vital structures, including the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the parathyroid glands. The thyroid blood vessels are meticulously identified, sealed, and divided, and the diseased portion of the thyroid or the entire gland is removed. When indicated for thyroid cancer, central or lateral neck lymph node dissection may also be performed. After confirming meticulous haemostasis, the specimen is retrieved through the remote-access incision, a surgical drain may be placed if required, the robotic instruments are removed, and the incisions are closed, completing the procedure.