Remote Access Robotic Neck Surgery

Graphic illustration of a simplified human figure with robotic arms positioned near the neck, emphasizing a connection between robotics and the cervical spine.

Published Jul 25, 2024

Updated May 16, 2026

Remote Access Neck Surgery started with a cosmetic motivation, but it is already shaping the future of Head&Neck Surgery. Almost every surgical procedure in the Head&Neck (including thyroidectomy, neck dissection…) can be performed through a remote access. Robotic instrumentation has fostered its development.

Illustration depicting various approaches for remote access neck surgery, highlighting the thyroid gland with arrows indicating surgical entry points.

Learn the critical historical facts in the development of the Remote Access to the Neck techniques, and the basic four approaches that are used today: superior-medial (transvestibular), superior-lateral (retroauricular), inferior-lateral (axillary), inferior-medial (axillo-breast).

Granell, J., & Lee, K. E. (2019). Remote access thyroid surgery. Revista ORL, 11(2), 179–194. https://doi.org/10.14201/orl.21305

Timeline for remote access neck surgery

Learn more on each approach bellow.

Bilateral Axillo-Breast Appr. (BABA)

Close-up image of a healing surgical site on the skin, showing a circular incision with a prominent center, indicative of a minimally invasive procedure.

Transoral- transvestibular Approach

Retroauricular Approach (facelift)

Submental Approach

Axillary Approach


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Logo of the Asia-Pacific Society of Thyroid Surgery (APTS) featuring stylized hands and a butterfly.

APTS

The Asia-Pacific Society of Thyroid Surgery is the most active scientific group pushing the limits of current standards.

Remote Access Project

Trying to push forward the development of Remote Access Head&Neck Surgery in Spain.

Logo for Head and Neck Robotic Surgery featuring abstract design and the tagline 'Tech Improving Outcomes'