Hye Yeon Lee

About

Hye Yeon Lee is a pioneering head and neck surgeon whose work has redefined the boundaries of minimally invasive oncologic surgery. Her primary research focus lies in the development and validation of robotic approaches for neck dissections, specifically targeting the complex anatomy of head and neck cancers. Lee’s most significant contribution is the conceptualization and clinical introduction of the Transaxillary and Retroauricular (“TARA”) approach, a novel technique that allows for comprehensive neck dissection without visible scars on the neck. Her landmark 2011 study, which has garnered 85 citations, demonstrated the feasibility of this method in cancer patients, showing that it could achieve oncologic clearance while dramatically improving cosmetic outcomes. This work was preceded by a crucial preclinical feasibility study on four cadavers (21 citations), where she systematically proved that levels I, IIB, and V nodes were accessible via a gasless transaxillary robotic system. By challenging the conventional open surgery paradigm, Lee has provided a roadmap for reducing surgical morbidity and has inspired a generation of surgeons to explore robotic alternatives for head and neck malignancies.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Feasibility of Robot-Assisted Neck Dissections via a Transaxillary and Retroauricular (“TARA”) Approach in Head and Neck Cancer: Preliminary Results

   85 citations · 2011
2. 2
   Gasless Transaxillary Robot-Assisted Neck Dissection: A Preclinical Feasibility Study in Four Cadavers

   21 citations · 2011

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links