Postoperative Distress and Cosmetic Outcomes After Open Versus Robotic Thyroidectomy (NCT01075269) | Clinical Trial Compass
UnknownNot Applicable
Postoperative Distress and Cosmetic Outcomes After Open Versus Robotic Thyroidectomy
South Korea84 participantsStarted 2009-04
Plain-language summary
Robotic assistance during thyroid surgery has been utilized clinically in Korea since late 2007. Robotic thyroidectomy has also been validated for surgical management of the thyroid gland. Compared with endoscopic thyroidectomy, the use of a robot in an endoscopic approach via the axilla provides a broader view of the thyroid bed, albeit from a lateral, as opposed to the conventional anterior, perspective. The wrist action of a surgical robot also provides a greater degree of movement than afforded by the use of simple endoscopic instruments, and tremor is eliminated.
Although several reports on operative outcomes of the robotic technique have appeared, no prospective trials comparing the clinical results of robotic with conventional open thyroidectomy have been described. We therefore designed a prospective trial comparing outcomes, including postoperative distress and patient satisfaction, between patients undergoing robotic and conventional open thyroidectomy.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 60 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* (a) a minimally invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma ≤4 cm in diameter, or
* (b) a papillary thyroid carcinoma ≤2 cm in diameter.
Exclusion Criteria:
* (a) previous neck operations;
* (b) age \<21 or \>65 years;
* (c) prior vocal fold paralysis or a history of voice or laryngeal disease requiring therapy;
* (d) a malignancy with definite extrathyroid invasion, multiple lateral neck node metastasis, perinodal infiltration at a metastatic lymph node, or distant metastasis; and/or
* (e) a lesion located in the thyroid dorsal area (especially adjacent to the tracheoesophageal groove) caused by possible injury to the trachea, esophagus, or recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Surgical outcomes, postoperative pain and cosmetic outcomes
Timeframe: Postopeative pain: 24 hours after surgery, Cosmetic outcomes: 3 months after surgery