The Intraoperative Use of a Drain Line for Gas-Insufflation One-Step Single-Port Transaxillary (GOSTA) Robotic Thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the intraoperative use of a drain line for smoke suction during robotic thyroidectomy using a gas insufflation one-step single-port transaxillary (GOSTA) approach and its impact on surgical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

University tertiary care facility.

METHODS

A comprehensive retrospective analysis was conducted in patients divided into 2 groups: the Drain group, where a drain line was directly inserted into the surgical space during surgery (n = 53), and the Control group (n = 83). The 2 groups were compared in terms of perioperative surgical outcomes, including operative time, number of endoscope cleaning, and the number of patients with endoscopes that did not require cleaning.

RESULTS

The operative time was significantly shorter in the Drain group than in the Control group ( = .003). The number of endoscope cleaning procedures was considerably lower in the Drain group ( < .001), indicating a decreased need for endoscope cleaning during surgery. Moreover, a higher number of patients with endoscopes that did not require cleaning were observed in the Drain group ( = .001), suggesting a potential benefit in maintaining endoscope clarity.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that using smoke suction with a drain line directly inserted into the surgical space in robotic thyroidectomy using the GOSTA approach may offer advantages such as reduced operative time and improved endoscope clarity.