Robot-Assisted Thyroid Surgery
without Neck Incisions

Andrew de Jong, MD and Ron Kuppersmith, MD Texas ENT and Allergy - Bryan, College Station, Central Texas

College Station, Texas

For an appointment call: 979-693-6000

Thyroid nodules are very common, particularly in women. The risk increases with pregnancy, advancing age, and radiation exposure. While nodules are common, thyroid cancer is much less common. Thyroid surgery is typically performed to treat thyroid cancer, to aid in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, or if a nodule is causing obstructive symptoms such as difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Even with “minimally invasive” techniques, traditional thyroid surgery leaves an unsightly scar across the front of the neck. While the scar has been a concern for patients in the past, there was no alternative. Now, when a patient comes to the Texas ENT and Allergy, they may be able to have their thyroid surgery performed without any visible neck incisions using the daVinci robot.

daVinci Robot This procedure was pioneered in South Korea at Yonsei University College of Medicine by Dr. Woong Youn Chung, who has performed over 500 cases using the robot. Both Dr. deJong and Kuppersmith, who have been performing traditional and minimally invasive thyroid surgeries for years, visited Dr. Chung in South Korea to observe him perform surgery and study his technique. They have also completed extra training in the use of the daVinci Surigical Robot System. They are among the first physicians in the United States to offer this procedure.

By approaching the thyroid through an incision in the axillary fold (under the arm), the neck incision typically used for thyroid surgery is eliminated offering a much more cosmetically appealing result. Additionally, the daVinci Surgical Robot offers superior visualization and instrumentation compared to traditional surgery, allowing a complete and safe dissection to be performed. Currently, patients with thyroid nodules less than 4 cm in diameter and small papillary thyroid carcinomas may be candidates for this procedure. For more information, please contact our office at 979-693-6000 or 877-377-4ENT (Toll Free). You may also request an appointment online . For out-of-town patients, we can provide information about local hotels. We are located approximately 90 miles from Houston, 100 miles from Austin, 180 miles from Dallas, and 200 miles from San Antonio. Easterwood Airport in College Station (CLL) offers daily flights from Houston on Continental Airlines and from Dallas on American Airlines .