Robot-Assisted Thyroidectomy
March 23, 2012
Pier C. Giulianotti (Chicago – USA)
SUMMARY: Access for the camera and instruments to reach the thyroid and central neck is acquired by an incision in the anterior axillary fold. Elevation of skin, the subcutaneous tissues and sternocleidomastoideus provides working space. The muscles of the anterior portion of the neck are retraced as well.
The right thyroid lobe is mobilized with the harmonic scalpel preserving the para-thyroid glands,the recurrent and the laryngeus superior nerve. The right thyroid pedicles are separated with the harmonic scalpel and the hystmus divided. The right lobe is finally extracted. A suction drain is left in place.
