Comparison of Cost, Risks, and Benefits of Robotic or Open Thyroidectomy on Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to raise awareness of the cost, risk, and benefits of robotic thyroidectomy (RT) and open thyroidectomy (OT) when deciding on the surgical method for thyroid cancer. MATERIALS and METHODS: Complications, benefits, duration of operation, costs, and other risk factors in thyroid cancer cases, including robotic and OT of large case series followed up for a long time were comparatively analyzed, and results were evaluated. RESULTS: The comparison of obtained results after a 5-year follow-up revealed significantly higher costs, operative times, and postoperative morbidity rates in RT than OT. The satisfaction of patients in cosmetic terms was higher in RT. CONCLUSION: Our study results revealed that necessary outside logistics support, a necessary significant amount of operating room extra machines and materials, low patient circulation rate, and the medico-legal problems may arise, and we think that RT decision should be taken under limited conditions in thyroid cancers.