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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Oct;18(5):e2427.
doi: 10.1002/rcs.2427. Epub 2022 Jun 5.

Conversion rates in robotic thyroid surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Barbara Martino  1 , Letizia Nitro  1 , Loredana De Pasquale  2 , Paolo Lozza  1 , Alberto Maccari  1 , Luca Castellani  1 , Matilde Piazzoni  1 , Matteo Cardellicchio  1 , Antonio Mario Bulfamante  1 , Carlotta Pipolo  1 , Giovanni Felisati  1 , Alberto Maria Saibene  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Conversion rates in robotic thyroid surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Barbara Martino et al. Int J Med Robot. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: To define the conversion risk to open procedure during robot-assisted thyroid surgery (RATS) identifying potential specific subclasses of procedures or accesses at higher conversion risk.

Methods: In a PRISMA-compliant framework, all original prospective studies providing RATS conversion rates from multiple databases were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis. Conversion rates were compared between different typologies of thyroid surgery and robotic access.

Results: 13 studies were deemed eligible. Four conversions from two studies were reported out of 398 procedures. No significant heterogeneity was observed (Cochran's Q p = 0.932; I2 = 0%). The pooled conversion rate was 1% (95% confidence interval, 0.1%-2%). The ANOVA-Q test failed to show significant differences when comparing type of thyroid surgery or robotic access (respectively p = 0.766 and p = 0.457).

Conclusion: While the conversion rate appears consistently low across studies, prospective data collection and systematic reporting of procedural complications are required for framing high-risk procedures and accesses.

Keywords: adverse events; complications; hemithyroidectomy; minimally invasive surgery; robotic surgery; thyroidectomy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no potential conflict of interest or financial disclosures pertaining to this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA‐style flow chart of selection of studies throughout the systematic review and meta‐analysis
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
The pooled conversion rate in patients undergoing robot‐assisted thyroid surgery (RATS). Effects and summaries were calculated using a random‐effect model weighted by the study population
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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