Application of anti-adhesion film in robotic thyroid cancer surgery alleviates postoperative soft tissue adhesion and swallowing discomfort

Abstract

Objective To investigate the anti-adhesion effect of anti-adhesion film in robotic thyroid cancer surgery. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and treatment outcomes of 452 patients who underwent Da Vinci robotic surgery for thyroid cancer between January, 2016 and December, 2018.In 228 of the patients, anti-adhesion film (absorbable medical film) was placed on the trachea before thyroid resection and dissection of the lymph nodes (test group); the other 224 patients underwent identical surgical procedures but without the use of the anti-adhesion film (control group). Results The scores for swallowing discomfort were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group at 3 and 6 months after the operation.Subgroup analysis showed that in the patients receiving unilateral thyroidectomy, the scores for swallowing discomfort did not differ significantly between the 2 groups at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.In patients receiving total thyroidectomy, the scores were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group at 3 months (P=0.00) and 6 months (P=0.001), and the incidence of swallowing discomfort (either mild or severe) was also significantly lower in the test group at 3 months (74.6% vs 83.6%, P=0.004) and 6 months (24.2% vs 40.9%, P=0.006) after the operation.No significant differences were found in the incidences of postoperative hoarseness and hypoparathyroidism, drainage volume, or the length of hospital stay between the 2 groups. Conclusion The use of absorbable medical film during robotic total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer can effectively reduce neck soft tissue adhesion, lower the incidence of postoperative swallowing discomfort, and improve postoperative quality of life of the patients.

Keywords

• anti-adhesion film
• thyroid cancer
• robotic surgery