The Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach (BABA) has become one of the most established remote-access techniques for robotic thyroid and parathyroid surgery. First introduced in 2007 as an evolution of the earlier ABBA technique, BABA combines excellent cosmetic results with a surgical view that closely reproduces conventional open thyroidectomy, making it one of the most intuitive robotic approaches for thyroid surgery.
Today, BABA is performed worldwide for benign and malignant thyroid disease, central neck dissection, and selected parathyroid procedures. Its success reflects nearly two decades of continuous refinement by high-volume centers, particularly in South Korea, where many of the technique’s key developments have originated.
For anyone interested in learning more, Prof. Hyeong Won Yu (Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) has published an outstanding educational overview that covers the history of BABA, its evolution, operative workflow, technical pearls, and practical tips. Rather than reproducing those details here, we highly recommend visiting his post, which serves as an excellent reference for both newcomers and experienced robotic thyroid surgeons.
As robotic thyroid surgery continues to evolve, BABA remains a benchmark for how thoughtful innovation, careful standardization, and accumulated surgical experience can transform a novel idea into an internationally adopted technique.
J Granell. Jul 14, 2026
P.S. I had the privilege of spending two weeks at the Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, in 2017. Looking back, it was probably the most rewarding observership of my career abroad, thanks to the extraordinary case volume and the opportunity to learn from a truly outstanding team of surgeons.
