Robotically assisted thymectomy: a review of the literature

J Robot Surg. 2018 Mar;12(1):3-10. doi: 10.1007/s11701-017-0748-3. Epub 2017 Sep 13.

Abstract

The aim of this literature review is to see where the robotic thymectomy stands nowadays. A thorough search of the PubMed revealed eighty-two related articles which reviewed comprehensively. The zero intraoperative mortality, the minimal intraoperative morbidity, as well as the recorded recurrence rate of 0-11.1% and complete stable remission rate of 0-40% suggests that the robotic-assisted thymectomy is a feasible, safe and an upcoming procedure. However, the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials prevents this technique to become the standard approach for the nonce.

Keywords: Robotic; Robotic thymectomy; Thymectomy; Thymus.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Loss, Surgical
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Diseases / surgery*
  • Recurrence
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Thymectomy / methods*
  • Thymus Gland / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome