Hee Yong Kwak

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About

Hee Yong Kwak is a leading figure in the advancement of minimally invasive thyroid surgery, with a primary research focus on robotic thyroidectomy techniques. His most significant contribution is the refinement and validation of the bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA), a method that eliminates visible neck scars while achieving oncologic outcomes comparable to traditional open surgery. In his highly cited 2014 study (47 citations), Kwak demonstrated that BABA robotic thyroidectomy offers equivalent surgical results to conventional open thyroidectomy, establishing it as a viable, cosmetically superior alternative for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Building on this, his 2015 work (15 citations) identified key predictive factors for difficult BABA procedures, providing surgeons with critical preoperative indicators to improve patient selection and surgical planning. Through these studies, Kwak has not only expanded the application of robotic technology in endocrine surgery but also provided a practical framework for surgeons to adopt this complex technique safely. His work continues to shape the evolution of scarless neck surgery, directly impacting clinical decision-making and patient quality of life.