A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating completeness and outcomes of robotic thyroidectomy

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#humans #neoplasm-recurrence-local #outcome-and-process-assessment-health-care #robotics #thyroid-neoplasms

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating completeness and outcomes of robotic thyroidectomy

Lang et al., 2015 | Laryngoscope | Meta Analysis

Citation

Lang Brian Hung-Hin, Wong Carlos K H, ... Wan Koon Y. A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating completeness and outcomes of robotic thyroidectomy. Laryngoscope. 2015-Feb;125(2):509-18. doi:10.1002/lary.24946

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Despite immense interest, robotic-assisted thyroidectomy (RT) remains controversial in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). This systematic review and meta-analysis compared surgical completeness and/or oncological outcomes between RT and open thyroidectomy (OT) in low-risk DTC. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: A systematic review was performed to identify studies that compared surgical completeness and/or oncological outcomes between RT and OT in DTC. Any study that compared at least one parameter relating to surgical completeness and/or oncological outcome for DTC was considered. Number of central lymph nodes (CLNs) retrieved during central neck dissection (CND), preablation stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) level, radioiodine uptake on post-therapy scan, and locoregional recurrence (LRR) were examined. Meta-analysis was performed using a fixed or random-effects model depending on heterogeneity between studies. RESULTS: Ten studies were eligible. Of the 2,205 DTCs, 752 (34.1%) had RT, whereas 1,453 (65.9%) had OT. Relative to OT, RT had significantly fewer CLNs retrieved during CND (4.7 ± 3.2 vs. 5.5 ± 3.8, standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.240, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.364 to -0.116, P < .001) and higher preablation sTg level (3.6 ± 6.7 ng/mL vs. 2.0 ± 5.0 ng/mL, SMD = 0.272, 95% CI: 0.022 to 0.522, P = .033). Interestingly, these differences were more evident in the robotic transaxillary approach (RTAA) than the robotic bilateral axillo-breast approach. After a mean follow-up of 17.7 months, no LRR was found in RT, whereas after 18.6 months, one LRR was found in OT. CONCLUSIONS: Relative to OT, total thyroidectomy by RTAA was associated with fewer CLNs retrieved and less-complete thyroid resection. However, using RTAA is unlikely to compromise the outcomes of low-risk DTC because of its inherently good prognosis.

Key Findings

Ten studies were eligible. Of the 2,205 DTCs, 752 (34.1%) had RT, whereas 1,453 (65.9%) had OT. Relative to OT, RT had significantly fewer CLNs retrieved during CND (4.7 ± 3.2 vs. 5.5 ± 3.8, standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.240, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.364 to -0.116, P < .001) and higher preablation sTg level (3.6 ± 6.7 ng/mL vs. 2.0 ± 5.0 ng/mL, SMD = 0.272, 95% CI: 0.022 to 0.522, P = .033). Interestingly, these differences were more evident in the robotic transaxillary approac

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Robotics
  • Thyroid Neoplasms
  • Thyroidectomy

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: iodine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09