Bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic total thyroidectomy in a 5-year-old patient with intractable Graves' disease.

Abstract

Robotic thyroid surgeries in children are gaining popularity due to cosmetic advantages, but most previous studies include patients of school-age or older. We hereby introduce our case of a 5-year-old patient with Graves' disease to show key differences and similarities between pediatric and adult bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) robotic thyroidectomies. Despite the small body, no additional working space was needed and the flap creation was performed as similarly done in adults. The anatomy was not much different, except that the parathyroid tissues were easily identified due to low body fat, and the prominent thymus covered most of the level VI area. The patient did not experience postoperative complications such as hypoparathyroidism or vocal cord palsy. Postoperative wounds showed excellent results with minimal scars. BABA robotic thyroidectomy can be performed safely in pediatric patients and may be considered an alternative option for conventional open thyroidectomy in children.