No Complications or Scars: How a Robot Helps Surgeons Remove Tumors
For the first time in Obninsk, surgeons have performed robot-assisted operations to remove thyroid cancer through a transaxillary approach. The new technique allows patients to avoid a scar on the neck and the loss of their voice.
The A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center in Obninsk, Kaluga Region, has performed its first robot-assisted operations to remove thyroid cancer through a transaxillary approach. Each procedure lasted about two hours. The patients are in satisfactory condition and are now preparing to be discharged.
The operations were performed under the supervision of Dmitry Semenov, a professor at the St. Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology. The key feature of the technique was the location of the surgical access point. Instead of making an incision in the neck, surgeons used the armpit. This approach made it possible to avoid a visible scar on the neck.
How Thyroid Surgery Was Performed in the Past
For many years, the standard approach to thyroid surgery was an open procedure involving a transverse incision across the front of the neck. Known as the Kocher incision, this technique was introduced by a Swiss surgeon in the late 19th century and became the “gold standard” in endocrine surgery.
In the classic procedure, the incision was typically 7 to 10 centimeters long. As optical technology improved and surgeons gained experience, its length could be reduced to 3 to 6 centimeters. However, eliminating the incision altogether was not possible.
The operation performed this way always left a scar in a highly visible area. Rather than fading, the scar could widen over the years. For many people, particularly women, this became a source of psychological distress. The desire to avoid a scar on the front of the neck led to the development of remote-access surgical techniques.
Every Millimeter Matters
The thyroid gland is located close to nerves and blood vessels, making surgery in this area particularly demanding. If nerves are touched or damaged, patients may lose their voice. The proximity of blood vessels also creates a risk of heavy bleeding during surgery. Surgeons therefore need a clear view of the operative field and precise control over their instruments.
As Vyacheslav Polkin, head of the Head and Neck Tumor Department at the A.F. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, explained, the robotic system helps address these challenges through 3D visualization and highly maneuverable instruments. The surgeon controls the instruments throughout the procedure, while the system enables precise movements in a confined space. This gives the surgeon better control over the operation and helps reduce the risk of damage to surrounding tissue.
Preserving Appearance
For patients, the outcome of treatment is not the only consideration. They also care about how surgery affects their appearance. Robot-assisted surgery through a transaxillary approach makes it possible to remove a tumor without leaving a visible scar on the neck, which can otherwise become a source of psychological distress.
However, robotic surgery is not suitable for every patient. The treating physician decides whether the procedure is appropriate, taking into account the severity of the disease and the size of the tumor.
New Opportunities for Russian Medicine
Every robot-assisted operation relies on a chain of digital technologies. These include medical image processing, anatomical modeling, surgical planning and systems that guide surgical robots. The development of surgical robotics therefore involves not only medicine but also Russia's IT industry and medical device manufacturing sector.
Work in this field is progressing actively. In February 2026, Russia registered its first robotic surgical system, which is being positioned as a domestic alternative to the foreign da Vinci system. According to the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor), the system is already available for delivery to federal and regional medical institutions. Its development is associated with the Institute for Design and Technological Informatics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The emergence of domestically developed surgical robots is creating demand for high-precision electromechanical components, software, imaging systems and robotic arm control systems.
Export Potential
In the coming years, Russian clinics are expected to be the primary users of these technologies. Over time, however, the products could also reach international markets. Potential exports include surgical robots themselves, the software used to control them, individual equipment components and training for physicians. CIS countries could become one area for cooperation.
