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Video

Endocrine Surgery

(A310) Predictors of Tunneling Time in Transoral Robotic Thyroidectomy: Impact of Anatomical Measurements

Monday, October 13, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
Location: OTO EXPO, Posters

    Presenting Author(s)

  • PILKEUN JANG, MD

    Fellow
    Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
    Gangbuk-gu, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

    • Co-Author(s)

  • MK

    MINWOO KIM, MD

    Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
    Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Seo Young Kim, MD

    Fellow
    Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
    Seongnam-si, Kyonggi-do, Republic of Korea

  • YK

    YUNG JEE KANG, MD

    Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, United States

  • JEONG-YEON JI, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor
    Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
    Seongnam-si, Kyonggi-do, United States

  • WONJAE CHA, MD

    Associate Professor
    Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
    Seongnam-si, Kyonggi-do, Republic of Korea

  • MS

    MYUNG-WHUN SUNG, MD

    Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Republic of Korea

  • KWANG HYUN H. KIM, MD

    Chief of Head and Neck service
    Dept. of ENT, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital
    Seoul, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Woo-Jin JEONG, MD, PhD

    Professor
    Seoul National University Bundang Hospital
    Seoul, Kyonggi-do, Republic of Korea

Disclosure(s):
Woo-Jin JEONG, MD, PhD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
PILKEUN JANG, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
KWANG HYUN H. KIM, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.


Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors related to tunneling time in transoral robotic thyroidectomy via the vestibular approach (TORTVA).

Methods: Between October 2023 and December 2024, we retrospectively analyzed 33 patients who underwent TORTVA. Various lengths and angles potentially related to the tunneling pathway were measured on the sagittal plane of the patients’ neck CTs and analyzed to determine their correlation with tunneling time.

Results: The average tunneling time was 25.3 ± 8.2 minutes, with no significant difference observed between males (n = 11, 25.6 ± 8.1 minutes) and females (n = 22, 25.2 ± 8.4 minutes) (P = .925). In multivariate linear regression analysis, the skin-to-thyroid cartilage notch thickness (tST) (B = 0.550, P = .024) and the mentum-to-thyroid cartilage notch distance (dMT) (B = 0.347, P = .028) were significantly associated with tunneling time (P = .006).

Conclusions: Tunneling time showed a significant correlation with the thickness of the skin over the thyroid cartilage notch and the distance between the mentum and the thyroid cartilage notch. These insights could be particularly valuable for surgeons new to TORTVA, as they may help refine patient selection criteria and optimize surgical planning.