Technical, Oncological, and Functional Safety of Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach (BABA) Robotic Total Thyroidectomy

Background: The aim of this study was to identify whether bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) robotic total thyroidectomy (RoTT) is technically, oncologically, and functionally safe. Materials and Methods: One hundred eighteen patients underwent BABA robotic thyroidectomy between July 2010 and February 2013. Ninety-one (77.1%) patients underwent RoTT, and 27 (22.9%) underwent robotic unilateral lobectomy. Results: RoTT (n=91) resulted in lower rate of surgical complication and in higher rate of transient hypocalcemia comparing with robotic unilateral lobectomy (n=27) (35.16% vs. 3.7%; P < 0.013), but not in a permanent hypocalcemia, transient, or permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (2.2% vs. 0%; P = 1.000, 3.3% vs. 0%; P = 1.000, and 0% vs. 0%; P = NS), respectively. Successful remnant ablation rate for the patients with RoTT was 100% on a subsequent 6 months follow-up. No significant differences between 2 groups existed in mean Voice Handicap Index-10 scores during postoperative 6 months (P = 0.308). Conclusions: BABA RoTT might be oncologically safe as well as technically and functionally safe procedure.