Analysis of Initial Outcomes of Gas-insufflation One-step Single-port Transaxillary (GOSTA) Robotic Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer

Background/Aim: This study compared the initialoutcomes of gas-insufflation one-step single-port transaxillary(GOSTA) robotic thyroidectomy with traditional openthyroidectomy for thyroid cancer at a single institution.Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conductedon 77 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for differentiatedthyroid cancer from January to June 2024. Exclusion criteriaincluded benign nodules, Graves' disease, and previous thyroidsurgeries. Two surgeons performed the procedures, with onehaving no prior robotic surgery experience. Results: Of the 77patients, 48 underwent open thyroidectomy and 29 underwentGOSTA thyroidectomy. The GOSTA group had a significantlylower mean age (40.1 vs. 47.6 years, p=0.002) and a higherproportion of female patients (p=0.040). The open grouppatients had more harvested lymph nodes than the GOSTAgroup patients (7.9 vs. 2.4, p<0.001). The GOSTA grouppatients had longer operation time (156.4 vs. 80.6 min,p<0.001), and had extended hospital stay than the open grouppatients (5.9 vs. 3.4 days, p<0.001). Complication rates weresimilar between the groups. Conclusion: GOSTA roboticthyroidectomy provides comparable safety and effectiveness toopen thyroidectomy, with improved cosmetic outcomes despitelonger operation times and hospital stays. This technique isfeasible for surgeons without prior robotic experience, offeringa viable alternative for patients prioritizing cosmetic results