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. 2016 May;90(5):239-45.
doi: 10.4174/astr.2016.90.5.239. Epub 2016 May 2.

A comparative study of postoperative pain for open thyroidectomy versus bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic thyroidectomy using a self-reporting application for iPad

Young Jun Chai  1 , Junho Song  2 , Jiyoung Kang  3 , Jung-Woo Woo  4 , Ra-Yeong Song  4 , Hyungju Kwon  4 , Su-Jin Kim  4 , June Young Choi  5 , Kyu Eun Lee  4
Affiliations

A comparative study of postoperative pain for open thyroidectomy versus bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic thyroidectomy using a self-reporting application for iPad

Young Jun Chai et al. Ann Surg Treat Res. 2016 May.

Abstract

Purpose: Postoperative pain for robotic thyroid surgeries including bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) has not been well studied. In this study, we have developed a self-reporting application (SRA) for iPad and prospectively collected pain scores from open thyroidectomy (OT) and BABA robotic thyroidectomy (RT) patients.

Methods: Female patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma were included. Patients recorded pain scores for throat, anterior neck, posterior neck, chest, and back on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. Once discharged, on postoperative day 14, a survey was also conducted on satisfaction of SRA and cosmesis.

Results: A total of 54 patients were enrolled (27 BABA RT and 27 OT). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in clinicopathological characteristics and postoperative complication rates. Postoperative pain scores at days 1, 2, 3, and 14 were not significantly different between the groups for throat, anterior neck, posterior neck, or back. Postoperative analgesic requirements were similar between the 2 groups. Wound satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the BABA RT group (BABA RT 7.4 vs. OT 5.7; P = 0.016). Satisfaction scores for the usefulness of SRA were above 7.2 for all four questionnaire items on the 10-point scale.

Conclusion: Postoperative pain for BABA RT is equivalent to OT but offers greater cosmetic satisfaction for patients. A mobile device application such as SRA may facilitate proper assessment and management of pain in postoperative patients.

Keywords: BABA; Bilateral axillo-breast approach; Postoperative pain; Robotic thyroidectomy; iPAD.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Location of 4 incisions and flap dissection area (in red) for bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic thyroidectomy.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Patient using self-reporting application.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Pain assessment questionnaire.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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