Voice outcomes of transoral robotic thyroidectomy: Comparison with conventional trans-cervical thyroidectomy

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term voice outcomes of transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) and trans-cervical thyroidectomy.

Materials and methods: The acoustic parameters and the voice handicap index (VHI)-10 scores were compared between the two groups preoperatively, and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.

Results: Forty-two patients in the TORT group and 47 patients in the trans-cervical group completed the VHI-10 questionnaire and acoustic analysis. The highest frequency and pitch range was higher and broader, respectively, in the TORT group than in the trans-cervical group until 3 months after surgery. They were not significantly impaired by surgery in the TORT group. The postoperative VHI-10 score was not significantly different between the two groups at any time point. Surgical approach (TORT vs. trans-cervical) and age were independent factors related to highest frequency and pitch range in multiple regression analysis.

Conclusion: TORT has advantages of excellent postoperative voice outcomes compared to trans-cervical thyroidectomy in the short-term period.