Published online Oct 26, 2018. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v6.i12.542
Peer-review started: July 31, 2018
First decision: August 20, 2018
Revised: August 27, 2018
Accepted: August 28, 2018
Article in press: August 30, 2018
Published online: October 26, 2018
Processing time: 87 Days and 8.9 Hours
Advances in preoperative localization studies and demands for scarless surgery have promoted the investigation for remote techniques in parathyroid surgery. Transoral vestibular approach seems to provide the most comfortable and safest access to the neck. In this paper, we report our initial experience with robotic transoral vestibular parathyroidectomy (RTVP) in four patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The surgery was performed with the Da Vinci system through three trocars introduced from the lower lip vestibule. The procedure was converted to open in two patients due to inappropriate preoperative localization. The mean operative time was 169 min. No postoperative complications were seen. Patients were discharged on postoperative day 1. RTVP is a feasible and safe technique, which allows better surgical exposure and manipulation of the instruments. The advantages of transoral vestibular approach can be enhanced by robotics. Further studies are needed to analyze complications and costs.
Core tip: In this paper we present the first national transoral parathyroidectomy cases and to our knowledge, these are the first transoral vestibular robotic parathyroidectomy cases without thyroidectomy. Our results indicate that correct preoperative localization and experience is essential for success in minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.