Early outcomes in transoral vestibular thyroidectomy: Robotic versus endoscopic techniques

Background: The transoral thyroidectomy vestibular approach has been utilized via both robotic (TORTVA) and endoscopic (TOETVA) techniques to perform thyroidectomy. However, there have been no studies evaluating outcomes between these approaches. Here we describe our outcomes for thyroid lobectomy with TORTVA and TOETVA. Methods: All cases of transoral vestibular approach thyroid lobectomy at Johns Hopkins Hospital were reviewed. Primary outcomes and demographic data were then compared between TORTVA and TOETVA. Results: Twenty-seven cases were identified, 7 using the robotic approach and 20 using the endoscopic approach. The procedural success rate for the robotic and endoscopic cohorts was 5 of 7 (71%) and 19 of 20 (95%), respectively (P =.15). There were no persistent nerve injuries, mental, or recurrent in either cohort. Median operative time for TOETVA was 188 minutes versus 322 minutes for TORTVA (P =.001). Conclusion: Thyroid lobectomy can be safely performed via both techniques, although performed more quickly endoscopically, which is likely due in part to differences in the learning curves.