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What is Robotic Thyroidectomy and Its Benefits?

Patients suffering from thyroid problems may go for thyroidectomy which is the surgical removal of the thyroid gland. It is effective in different conditions like hyperthyroidism, benign nodules, and thyroid cancer. Traditionally, thyroidectomy was performed using conventional laparoscopy or open techniques.

The modern advancements in medical sciences have introduced the use of robotic technology in thyroidectomy. Read on to know more on robotic thyroidectomy and its key advantages.

What is robotic thyroidectomy?

It is a modern surgical process using robots to help surgeons perform dedicated thyroidectomy. Dedicated systems like the Da Vinci Surgical System offer a console for surgeons to make small incisions with the robotic arms. 

The different steps involved in the Robotic thyroidectomy are:

  • The patient is placed under general anaesthesia.
  • The robotic system offers a console for surgeons to sit and manipulate the robotic arms having specialised surgical instruments.
  • Robotic arms perform the dedicated thyroidectomy process.
  • Small incisions are then closed with sutures.

Benefits of the robotic thyroidectomy

After having a quick overview of the process, here are some of the key advantages of the robotic thyroidectomy:

Minimally invasive process

Firstly, it is a minimally invasive process with small incisions and less scarring. This process involves small incisions compared to the traditional open surgery leading to fast recovery and postoperative pains.

The overall scarring in the robotic thyroidectomy is least visible as it is performed due to a single hidden incision. This incision is located in the armpit or other conspicuous locations.

Improved control and precision

The use of the robots in thyroidectomy are equipped with high-definition 3D cameras offering a magnified view of the surgical field. It helps surgeons with the improved visualisation of the thyroid with better identification and presentation of parathyroid glands and laryngeal nerves around the thyroid surgery.

The robotic arms offer a larger range of motion than the hands of the surgeons. Hence, it is easy to allow more precise movements and control during the thyroidectomy. The cases requiring meticulous dissection or other complex cases are easily handled by the robotic thyroidectomy.

Reduced recovery time

Robotic thyroidectomy offers shorter hospital stays when compared to patients undergoing traditional thyroidectomy. Patients can go to their homes the same day or the following day. 

The minimally invasive process of this surgery results in quick recovery time. Hence, patients can easily return to their normal activities and work accordingly.

Reduced postoperative pain

Due to the small incisions, the robotic thyroidectomy offers less discomfort to patients with reduced postoperative pain. Hence, pain management after the surgery is easy for the patients.

The management of any possible pains in this process is best offered with the help of dedicated medications.

Reduced complications risk

While every surgical process has its set of complications risk, the robotic thyroidectomy offers reduced risks when compared to the traditional thyroidectomy process. The risk of infections in the small incisions are low when compared to the large surgical wounds.

Any risks of vocal cord paralysis are reduced due to the quick identification and preservation of the critical surrounding structures of the thyroid like the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Reduced visible scarring

Last but not least, the robotic thyroidectomy is ideal for patients aiming at visual benefits with reduced visible scarring. The small incisions further ensures that this medical process is aesthetically appealing.

Wrapping Up

Robotic thyroidectomy offers a significant advancement in the management of the thyroid surgery. It is easy to understand the process and top advantages of robotic thyroidectomy. With the consistent advancements in robotic-assisted surgeries, its application in thyroidectomy is set to grow.

Cross Border Care ensures that patients looking for advanced treatments like robotic thyroidectomy get the best hospitals, expert surgeons, and affordable treatments in India.

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Thyroid Patients Can Go For Robotic Surgery To Avoid Scar

The rise in the number of the thyroid patients has evolved the field of medicine to serve them with the best treatment. When it comes to the surgery, the groundbreaking advancements in the medicine field offer minimally invasive surgeries as an alternative to the traditional thyroid surgery. 

The adoption of  robotic thyroidectomy helps patients eliminate problems of the traditional thyroid surgery. Read on to know more how thyroid patients can go for robotic surgery to avoid scars.

Traditional surgery for thyroid patients- An overview

It refers to the treatment of thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, and benign nodules by making an incision in the neck. Hence, patients get a noticeable scar leaving several cosmetic and social dilemmas especially for young females. 

It is accompanied by an increased post-recovery period and more postoperative pains. Patients undergoing traditional thyroid surgeries have reported complications due to reduced precision and control.

Robotic surgery for thyroid patients- An overview

The use of the advanced medical robotic systems like Da Vinci Surgical System offers a few millimetres of the incision in the thyroid surgery. This system consists of a console to be operated by the surgeon, specialised instruments, and robotic arms. 

The surgeon controls the robot from a console using the high-definition 3D visuals and intuitive controls. The robotic arms further use tiny instruments for enhancing the stability and precision of the surgeon’s hands.

Why do thyroid patients go for robotic surgery to avoid scars?

Many female thyroid patients prefer to go for the Scarless Thyroidectomy Surgery. So, after having a quick overview of the traditional and robotic thyroid surgery procedure, here are the different reasons why robotic surgery is best to avoid scar:

  • Use of small incisions

Firstly, robotic surgery for thyroid patients uses small incisions compared to traditional surgery. The traditional thyroid surgery involves a large incision in the neck. It creates a noticeable scar which requires significant cosmetic treatment.

Robotic surgery for thyroid use incisions that are less than 1 centimetre in length only. Further, females prefer to go for these stitches placed in the inconspicuous areas depending on the type of the robots used.

  • Less visible trauma to surrounding tissues 

The use of advanced robotic instruments controlled by surgeons creates less trauma to the surrounding tissues during thyroid surgery. It leads to reduced tissue trauma with fewer complications to the skin.

Females prefer to go with the robotic surgery that comes with less bruising, swelling, blemishes, or other skin issues.

  • Reduced postoperative comfort

With the reduced scars and trauma to the surrounding tissues, the overall postoperative comfort significantly decreases in thyroid robotic surgery. It is easy for the patients to return to their daily activities when compared to the recovery time in traditional thyroid surgery.

With the reduced risk of skin infections, the overall postoperative comfort significantly rises with the robotic thyroid surgery. It adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of robotic surgery for females.

  • Low incidence of postoperative skin issues

Many patients after traditional thyroid surgery suffer from different complications like fluid collection, wound infections, or preservation of the critical structures. While the risks of surgery remain noticeable in any medical procedure, robotic surgery offers significant satisfaction to female patients.

With reduced manipulation of the tissues, the chances of postoperative skin issues are significantly reduced.

Final thoughts

Robotic surgery for thyroid patients offers the right alternative to traditional thyroid surgery when it comes to visible scarring. It is easy to understand the basics of traditional surgery and robotic surgery for managing thyroid patients. The different reasons focusing on the adoption of robotic thyroid surgery make them ideal for patients looking to avoid visible scars.

Cross Border Care ensures high levels of advanced treatments like robotic thyroid surgery in state-of-the-art facilities, expert medical professionals, and customized treatment at the best affordable prices.

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Is Thyroid surgery costlier with a robotic system?

Patients looking for treatment for thyroid issues may seek the potential help of robotic thyroid surgery. Several factors contribute to the high cost of thyroid surgery with robotic systems.

Read on to know more about this raise in costs, the key cost factors, and cost vs. benefit analysis on robotic thyroid surgery in this write-up.

Thyroid surgery with robotic system- An outline

While traditional thyroid surgery is performed using open surgery or endoscopic methods, these come with noticeable scarring and long recovery times. The use of advanced surgical robots like the Da Vinci Surgical System in robotic thyroid surgery eliminates the issues of enhanced recovery time, increased postoperative pain, and increased chances of infections with traditional surgery.

Robotic thyroid surgery follows a minimally invasive approach through small incisions either from  transoral routes or transaxillary routes. Hence, the overall recovery time and scarring is reduced in robotic thyroid surgery.

Why is thyroid surgery with robotic systems costlier?

Initial investment costs

Firstly, the investment in robotic surgical systems is high. This is due to the high purchase and maintenance costs of the robotic system used in thyroid surgery. The initial investment in systems like the Da Vinci ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 million USD. 

It is further based on the type of model and configuration. The high initial investment cost of robotic systems covers high-definition 3D visualisation, robotic arms with multiple degrees of freedom, and specialised instrumentation.

Maintenance and operational costs

The robotic systems require dedicated maintenance and operations for smooth efficacy. Regular maintenance, technical support, and software updates add to the overall costs of the robotic surgery. 

Per-procedure costs

Thyroid surgery using robotic systems has considerable procedure requirements like disposable consumable supplies and specialised instruments. These costs are higher than the costs of the traditional thyroid surgery. 

Training and skill development of surgeons

The use of the robotic system for thyroid surgery requires extensive training of surgeons and operating staff. This leads to higher costs per procedure without reducing the efficacy of the surgeons.

Operating room time

The robotic surgery takes longer time than the traditional methods during the learning phase. This longer operating time increases the overall costs linked to the operating rooms. It covers facility overhead, anaesthesia team, and staff time.

Scarcity of Robotic System in India 

The availability of the robotic system in India for thyroid surgery is limited to the metropolitan and big cities only. Hence, patients need to to travel to these regions which adds to the overall treatment costs.

Limited trained surgeons

The training of the surgeons for the robotic thyroid surgery is available in medical excellence regions like the USA. Hence, the overall limited trained surgeons adds to the costs of this robotic treatment.

The average cost of thyroid surgery with the robotic system in India.

Thyroid surgery with robotic systems in India costs around 5,000 USD to 8,000 USD on average. It further depends on the different factors like the patient’s condition, type of hospital, and expertise of the medical professionals.

Cost vs. benefit analysis- Robotic thyroid surgery

When it comes to the cost vs. benefit analysis of the thyroid surgery with robotic systems, there is a fair play for the majority of patients. The availability of the top-class robotic systems, properly maintained robotic arms, and expert processes justifies the robotic system costs.

The expertise of the robotic surgeons and dedicated facilities for the robotic thyroid surgery ensures that patients are less prone to the complications and can enjoy enhanced recovery rates. 

Not to miss is that Cross Border Care can help patients to unlock the benefits of robotic thyroidectomy  while making it as affordable as possible for a broad range of patients.