Yixian Robot-Assisted Thyroid and Head & Neck Surgery Meeting

The Yixian Robot-Assisted Thyroid and Head and Neck Surgery Academic Conference and Training and Promotion Meeting of the Head and Neck Minimally Invasive Surgery Collaborative Group under the National Clinical Research Centre for Otorhinolaryngology Diseases was recently and successfully convened in Guangzhou.

The conference was jointly organised by the Guangdong Medical Association and hosted by its Otorhinolaryngology Branch and the Head and Neck Surgery Group of the Robotic Surgery Branch. It was co-organised by Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, and the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University. Professor Huang Xiaoming, Professor Liu Xuekui, and Professor Liu Mingbo served as Conference Co-Chairs, with Professor Liang Faya acting as Executive Chair.

Focusing on cutting-edge advances and technical practice in endoscopic and robotic surgery for thyroid and head and neck tumours, the meeting upheld the principles of interdisciplinary integration, academic rigour, and clinical applicability. Through high-level academic exchange and hands-on demonstration, the conference provided strong intellectual support for advancing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for head and neck malignancies.

To further enrich the academic programme and promote in-depth discussion of emerging techniques, a pre-conference surgical skills training camp was specially organised. Through animal-based experimental training and structured instruction, the camp focused on standardised operative techniques for endoscopic and open thyroid and head and neck surgery, facilitating professional skills development and experience sharing among participants.

1. Highlighting Frontier Research to Promote High-Level Academic Exchange

At the opening ceremony, Professor Chen Suijun, Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, welcomed participants on behalf of the host institution and expressed sincere appreciation to experts and scholars for their longstanding support of the discipline. Professor Liu Xuekui from the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University and Professor Liu Mingbo from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital subsequently delivered opening remarks, outlining the conference agenda and expressing expectations for collective advancement through academic exchange.

Professor Huang Zhigang, Chair of the Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and Professor at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, extended congratulations on behalf of the Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and wished the conference a complete success.

Opening Remarks

During the scientific sessions, Professor Huang Zhigang delivered a comprehensive overview of advances in immunotherapy for head and neck tumours. Professor Wen Weiping (The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University) discussed surgical indications and management strategies for paediatric adenoid hypertrophy. Professor Wang Xudong (Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital) presented recent progress in robot-assisted head and neck tumour surgery.

In addition, Professor Fang Jugao (Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University) explored combined submandibular–parapharyngeal approaches and endoscopic transnasal resection techniques for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, together with reconstructive strategies. Professor He Qingqing (PLA No. 960 Hospital) introduced minimally invasive innovations in lateral neck dissection, highlighting the advantages and future prospects of robotic surgery in thyroid cancer. Professor Qin You (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine) addressed technical considerations and challenges associated with transoral vestibular radical resection for thyroid cancer.

2. Robotic Surgery Demonstration Marks a Technical Milestone

A major highlight of the conference was the live demonstration of two axillary-approach, gasless robotic thyroid surgeries performed by Professor Liang Faya. The procedures included a right thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy and right central compartment lymph node dissection, followed by a total thyroidectomy with bilateral central compartment lymph node dissection and left modified radical neck dissection.

Both procedures represent the first domestic reports by Professor Huang Xiaoming’s team, reflecting a progressive evolution from simple to complex axillary robotic thyroid surgery. This approach expands the indications for axillary endoscopic thyroidectomy and enables scarless radical resection for selected unilateral N1b patients. Reported three- and five-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates have reached 100%, significantly improving postoperative quality of life.

The inaugural procedure was moderated by Professor Wang Xudong (Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital), Professor He Long (Guangzhou First People's Hospital), and Professor Liu Xueshi Bojie (Second Hospital of Jilin University), with Professors Liu Xuekui (Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center), Zheng Chuanming (Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital), Xu Nan (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), and Wang Zhiyuan (The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University) serving as invited discussants. The second procedure was moderated by Professor Qin You (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Professor Yang Hong (Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University), and Professor Li Jingjia (Foshan First People’s Hospital), with Professors He Qingqing (PLA No. 960 Hospital), Lei Dapeng (Qilu Hospital of Shandong University), Zhang Zhanqiang (The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University), and Zhuang Shimin (The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University) participating in expert discussion.

Together with on-site experts, the panel conducted in-depth deliberations on key technical considerations, including accurate preoperative staging and individualised surgical planning, meticulous identification and preservation of the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves, and precise boundary control during lateral neck lymph node dissection. The procedures were highly commended for achieving an optimal balance between oncological radicality and minimally invasive principles in the management of complex thyroid malignancies.

Following the live surgical demonstrations, the conference continued with a series of high-quality academic presentations that further enriched the scientific programme. In the afternoon session, Professor Xu Wei (Shandong Provincial ENT Hospital) provided a comprehensive review and outcome analysis of laryngeal cancer treatment. Professor Zhou Lingyu (Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong) elaborated on the application of robotic microsurgery in head and neck surgery, while Professor Wang Yan (The First Hospital of China Medical University) presented current progress in robotic treatment for oropharyngeal cancer.

Professor Ouyang Nengtai (Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University) offered a systematic interpretation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) reports in head and neck tumours. Professor Lu Yongtian (Shenzhen Second People's Hospital) discussed surgical strategies for bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Professor Song Ming (Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University) analysed the role of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the management of oropharyngeal cancer.

In addition, Professor Liang Qinlong (Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital) introduced endoscopic transaxillary V–subclavian approach thyroid surgery, integrating ASCO guideline recommendations with domestic clinical practice. Professor Liu Xuekui (Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University) shared institutional experience from a cohort of 600 cases of axillary-approach robot-assisted thyroid cancer surgery, providing valuable real-world data. Professor Chen Suijun (Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University) reviewed techniques for facial nerve preservation and reconstruction in lateral skull base surgery.

Throughout this session, the conference maintained a strong academic atmosphere characterised by active exchange, critical discussion, and shared learning. The presentations not only clarified key theoretical concepts but also exemplified a pragmatic and evidence-oriented scientific spirit.

3. Integrating Collective Expertise to Advance Head and Neck Cancer Care

The specialised academic programme continued on 29 November. Professor Yang Shiming (PLA General Hospital) shared clinical insights into the diagnosis and surgical management of endolymphatic sac tumours. Professor Liu Shaoyan (Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences) addressed the current landscape and key challenges in head and neck tumour surgery. Professor Xiang Mingliang (Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine) presented advances in transoral single-port robotic surgery for base of tongue carcinoma. Professor Lei Dapeng (Qilu Hospital of Shandong University) introduced comprehensive treatment protocols for cervical oesophageal carcinoma, while Professor Guo Liang (Zhejiang Provincial Cancer Hospital) discussed personalised repair and reconstruction strategies for tracheal defects associated with head and neck (thyroid) malignancies. Professor Zhang Bin (Peking University Cancer Hospital) explored evolving treatment paradigms for hypopharyngeal carcinoma, with a particular focus on neoadjuvant therapy and transoral robotic surgery.

Professor Li Chao (Sichuan Cancer Hospital) analysed the development of robot-assisted (endoscopic) head and neck tumour resection, tracing the transition from multi-arm to single-arm platforms and from cosmetic-oriented to truly minimally invasive approaches. Professor Wang Yu (Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Centre) outlined the establishment of an individualised thyroid surgery system, while Professor Tao Lei (Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University) reviewed the evolution of minimally invasive techniques for pharyngeal tumours. Professor Song Qi (Bethune International Peace Hospital) introduced salvage surgical strategies for advanced recurrent head and neck cancer, and Professor Zheng Chuanming (Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital) shared explorations and clinical practice in lateral-approach endoscopic and robotic thyroid surgery.

Professor An Changming (Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences) delivered a comprehensive analysis of the current status and future prospects of neoadjuvant therapy for hypopharyngeal cancer. Subsequently, Professors Huang Xiaoming and Liang Faya, from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, provided authoritative interpretations of the Expert Consensus on Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oropharyngeal Tumours (2025 Edition) and the Expert Consensus on Robot-Assisted Neck Surgery (2025 Edition). Spearheaded by Professor Huang Xiaoming, these consensus documents encapsulate collective expertise in the field and serve as essential “navigation charts” and “yardsticks” for robot-assisted neck surgery, clarifying core clinical pathways while defining appropriate boundaries for technological application. Their release is expected to strongly promote standardisation and high-quality development within the discipline.

Following this, Professor Lin Peiliang (Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University) delivered a specialised lecture entitled Application of Nerve Monitoring Technology in Head and Neck Surgery. He unlocked the practical essence of this technology for the audience through solid theoretical foundations and extensive clinical case analysis.

The academic intensity continued to rise in the afternoon session. Professor Tian Linli (The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University) conducted an in-depth analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in hypopharyngeal cancer, while Professor Lu Xiang (Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology) presented advances in transoral robotic surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea. In addition, a series of focused and highly informative specialised lectures further enriched the academic depth of the programme. Professor Bai Yanxia (The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University) provided a clear exposition of dynamic risk stratification, a core concept of the 2025 ATA Guidelines. Professor Fan Linjun (Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University) analysed the technical nuances of robotic neck dissection for thyroid cancer using the bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA).

Professor Liu Tianrun (Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University) outlined key principles and technical considerations for re-neck dissection in thyroid cancer. Professor Chen Huaichong (Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University) introduced the application of robot-assisted longitudinal posterior pharyngeal wall incisions for the management of benign parapharyngeal space tumours. Professor Lei Wenbin (The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University) delivered an in-depth analysis of recent advances and critical considerations in neck dissection. Professor Miao Beiping (Shenzhen Second People's Hospital) reviewed recent progress in neoadjuvant immunotherapy for head and neck tumours. Professors Han Ping and Lin Peiliang from Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, respectively addressed neoadjuvant chemoprevention strategies for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and the establishment of a pneumoperitoneum-assisted endoscopic thyroid surgery system.

Closing Remarks

In his closing remarks, Professor Huang Xiaoming, Conference Chair and Chair of the Otorhinolaryngology Branch of the Guangdong Medical Association, reflected on the sustained academic efforts of the Yixian Head and Neck Surgery Team. He noted that since 2005, the team has organised eighteen national continuing education programmes focused on endoscopic and robotic thyroid and head and neck surgery, with consistent support from the Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the National Head and Neck Minimally Invasive Surgery Collaborative Group of the National Clinical Research Centre for Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases, and colleagues nationwide.

Professor Huang expressed his sincere appreciation to the academic organisations, senior experts, and all participating colleagues whose longstanding guidance and active engagement contributed to the success of the meeting. Centred on open academic exchange and technological innovation in minimally invasive head and neck surgery, the conference fostered in-depth discussion across diverse formats and established a high-level platform for scholarly dialogue, consensus building, and disciplinary advancement. The organisers look forward to continuing this exchange at future meetings, further strengthening collaboration and supporting the sustained, high-quality development of head and neck surgery.