Tiroidectomía robótica

MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: If you have problems with your thyroid gland, your doctor may recommend a robotic thyroidectomy. Your thyroid gland is located below your larynx, or other voice box. It is surrounded by your trachea (windpipe). The thyroid produces a hormone called thyroid hormone and secretes it directly into your bloodstream. Your body uses thyroid hormone to increase your energy and raise your body temperature when needed. For example, these effects help compensate for the heat your body loses when exposed to cold weather. Your doctor may recommend a robotic thyroidectomy if you have certain types of thyroid cancer, an enlarged thyroid gland called a goiter, or benign nodules. In addition to these conditions, you may be considered for a robotic thyroidectomy if you are a healthy weight, your thyroid cancer is less than one inch, two and a half centimeters in diameter, your goiter or nodules are less than one and a half inches, or 3.8 centimeters, and you wish to avoid scarring in your neck. Before the procedure, an intravenous line will be started. You may receive intravenous antibiotics to decrease the chance of infection. You will be given general anesthesia. A breathing tube will be inserted through your mouth and into your windpipe (trachea) to help you breathe during the operation. The surgeon will make a small incision in your armpit. This location allows the surgeon to reach the thyroid gland without leaving a scar in your neck. A second small incision may be made next to your breastbone. Through the armpit incision, the surgeon will create a path under the skin of your chest and neck muscles to reach the thyroid gland. An assistant will insert robotic arms with tools through the incisions. Unlike standard laparoscopic instruments, these tools can rotate 360° and have greater flexibility than the human wrist. Seated at a special console, your surgeon will operate the robotic arms and camera using joystick-like controls and foot pedals. A computer will translate the exact movements of your surgeon's fingers into precise movements of the surgical tools. At the same time, a high-definition vision system will provide a magnified, three-dimensional stereoscopic view of the surgical area. With the robotic arms in position, your surgeon will carefully separate your thyroid from the surrounding tissues. Depending on the reason for your surgery, your surgeon will remove a lobe of the thyroid or the entire gland. The doctor may also remove nearby lymph nodes. Toward the end of this procedure, your surgeon will place a surgical drain in your armpit incision. The drain will remain there for several days. At the end of the procedure, the small incisions will be closed with stitches, staples, surgical glue, or closure bandages. After the procedure, your breathing tube will be removed, and you will be taken to the recovery area for monitoring. Your surgeon may check your larynx for injuries. You will be given pain medication if necessary. You may continue receiving antibiotics or intravenous treatment. Most patients are discharged from the hospital one or two days after the procedure. Your doctor may prescribe calcium supplements. If your entire thyroid is removed, you will need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication daily. ANR12006