Skip to main content

Lee, Kyu Eun

Seoul National University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Lee, Kyu Eun's research lab specializes in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques, particularly focusing on endoscopic and robotic thyroid and neck surgery. The lab investigates innovative surgical approaches such as the bilateral axillo-breast (BABA) and postauricular and axillary (PAA) approaches to improve cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction. It also integrates advanced technologies like deep learning for surgical instrument tracking and skill assessment in robotic surgery, aiming to enhance surgical precision and objective evaluation. Additionally, the lab conducts molecular and pathological studies on thyroid cancers to identify prognostic biomarkers and understand the genetic basis of thyroid tumors.

robotic thyroid surgeryminimally invasive surgerysurgical skill assessmentthyroid cancer genomicsendoscopic neck surgery

Research Overview

Papers
430
Total Citations
11,903
Papers (5y)
88
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
88total
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Citations per year (5y)
1,671total
20212022202320242025

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|343 citations·2016
Comprehensive Analysis of the Transcriptional and Mutational Landscape of Follicular and Papillary Thyroid Cancers
Seong‐Keun Yoo, Seungbok Lee, Su‐jin Kim, Hyeon-Gun Jee, Byoung-Ae Kim, Hyesun Cho, Young Shin Song, Sun Wook Cho, Jae‐Kyung Won, Jong-Yeon Shin, Do Joon Park, Jong‐Il Kim
SJR Q1PLoS GeneticsOA

Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) and benign follicular adenoma (FA) are indistinguishable by preoperative diagnosis due to their similar histological features. Here we report the first RNA sequencing study of these tumors, with data for 30 minimally invasive FTCs (miFTCs) and 25 FAs. We also compared 77 classical papillary thyroid carcinomas (cPTCs) and 48 follicular variant of PTCs (FVPTCs) to observe the differences in their molecular properties. Mutations in H/K/NRAS, DICER1, EIF1AX, IDH1,

Endocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismMedicine
2
Article|239 citations·2009
Endoscopic Thyroidectomy With the da Vinci Robot System Using the Bilateral Axillary Breast Approach (BABA) Technique
Kyu Eun Lee, Jaideepraj Rao, Yeo‐Kyu Youn
SJR Q2Surgical Laparoscopy Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques

Robotic endoscopic thyroidectomy using the BABA technique is a feasible procedure and can be performed safely. It provides an excellent operative field view enabling easy identification of vital structures. It also gives the desired cosmetic results and minimal postoperative pain similar to conventional endoscopic thyroid surgery using the BABA technique.

SurgeryMedicine
3
Article|129 citations·2013
Robotic thyroidectomy by bilateral axillo-breast approach: review of 1026 cases and surgical completeness
Kyu Eun Lee, Eunyoung Kim, Do Hoon Koo, June Young Choi, Kyu Hyung Kim, Yeo‐Kyu Youn
SJR Q1Surgical Endoscopy
SurgeryMedicine
4
Article|109 citations·2009
Postauricular and Axillary Approach Endoscopic Neck Surgery: A New Technique
Kyu Eun Lee, Hoon Yub Kim, Won Seo Park, Jun‐Ho Choe, Mi Ra Kwon, Seung Keun Oh, Yeo‐Kyu Youn
SJR Q1World Journal of Surgery

BACKGROUND: While the bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA) to endoscopic neck surgery resolves various benign and malignant thyroid and parathyroid diseases with minimal adverse effects and excellent cosmetic outcomes, it involves circumareolar incisions. Many patients, especially young female patients, are reluctant to have their breast involved. Consequently, we developed the postauricular and axillary approach (PAA) that uses postauricular incisions. METHODS: From June 2006 to December 200

SurgeryMedicine
5
Article|105 citations·2010
Outcomes of 109 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent robotic total thyroidectomy with central node dissection via the bilateral axillo-breast approach
Kyu Eun Lee, Do Hoon Koo, Su‐jin Kim, Jeong-Hun Lee, Kyoung Sik Park, Seung Keun Oh, Yeo‐Kyu Youn
SJR Q1Surgery
SurgeryMedicine
6
Article|103 citations·2011
Surgical completeness of bilateral axillo-breast approach robotic thyroidectomy: Comparison with conventional open thyroidectomy after propensity score matching
Kyu Eun Lee, Do Hoon Koo, Hyung Jun Im, Sue K. Park, June Young Choi, Jin Chul Paeng, June-Key Chung, Seung Keun Oh, Yeo‐Kyu Youn
SJR Q1Surgery
SurgeryMedicine
7
Article|103 citations·2020
Evaluation of Surgical Skills during Robotic Surgery by Deep Learning-Based Multiple Surgical Instrument Tracking in Training and Actual Operations
Dongheon Lee, Hyeong Won Yu, Hyungju Kwon, Hyoun‐Joong Kong, Kyu Eun Lee, Hee Chan Kim
SJR Q1Journal of Clinical MedicineOA

As the number of robotic surgery procedures has increased, so has the importance of evaluating surgical skills in these techniques. It is difficult, however, to automatically and quantitatively evaluate surgical skills during robotic surgery, as these skills are primarily associated with the movement of surgical instruments. This study proposes a deep learning-based surgical instrument tracking algorithm to evaluate surgeons’ skills in performing procedures by robotic surgery. This method overca

SurgeryMedicine
8
Article|99 citations·2003
Prognostic Significance of p53, nm23, PCNA and c-erbB-2 in Gastric Cancer
Kyu Eun Lee
SJR Q2Japanese Journal of Clinical OncologyOA

BACKGROUND: Although the TNM stage is the most important prognostic factor for gastric cancer, there is a need for new prognostic and predictive factors, because the prognosis varies among patients of the same stage. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship of p53, nm23, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and c-erbB-2 with the clinicopathological parameters and the survival results. METHODS: For 841 patients who had undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Seoul Nation

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
9
Article|97 citations·2016
Upregulation of SLC2 (GLUT) family genes is related to poor survival outcomes in papillary thyroid carcinoma: Analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas
Young Jun Chai, Jin Wook Yi, So Won Oh, Young A Kim, Ka Hee Yi, Ju Han Kim, Kyu Eun Lee
SJR Q1Surgery
Endocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismMedicine
10
Article|88 citations·2011
Bilateral Axillo-Breast Approach Robotic Thyroidectomy
Kyu Eun Lee, June Young Choi, Yeo‐Kyu Youn
SJR Q2Surgical Laparoscopy Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques

BABA RoT yields good postoperative outcomes. With excellent cosmetic outcomes, this technique may be a suitable alternative for patients with thyroid diseases.

SurgeryMedicine
11
Article|86 citations·2014
Comparison of 4D CT, Ultrasonography, and 99mTc Sestamibi SPECT/CT in Localizing Single‐Gland Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Yong Joon Suh, June Young Choi, Su‐jin Kim, In Kook Chun, Tae Jin Yun, Kyu Eun Lee, Ji‐hoon Kim, Gi Jeong Cheon, Yeo‐Kyu Youn
SJR Q1Otolaryngology

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to evaluate 4D computerized tomography (CT) as a means of localizing abnormal parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). STUDY DESIGN: Case series with expertized image review. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 38 patients were recruited for study, all of whom had undergone focused parathyroidectomy for single-lesion primary HPT between June 2011 and September 2013. In each patient, 3 imaging procedures were

NephrologyMedicine
12
Article|84 citations·2010
Breast Cancer Diagnosis Using a Microfluidic Multiplexed Immunohistochemistry Platform
Minseok S. Kim, Taemin Kim, Sun-Young Kong, Soim Kwon, Chae Yun Bae, Jaekyu Choi, Chul Hwan Kim, Kyu Eun Lee, Je‐Kyun Park
SJR Q1PLoS ONEOA

The microfluidic system, for the first time, was successfully applied to human clinical tissue samples and histopathological diagnosis was realized for breast cancers. Our results showing substantial agreement indicate that several cancer-related proteins can be simultaneously investigated on a single tumor section, giving clear advantages and technical advances over standard immunohistochemical method. This novel concept will enable histopathological diagnosis using numerous specific biomarkers

Biomedical EngineeringEngineering
13
Article|82 citations·2021
A prospective randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of prophylactic central compartment lymph node dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Jong-hyuk Ahn, JungHak Kwak, Sang Gab Yoon, Jin Wook Yi, Hyeong Won Yu, Hyungju Kwon, Su‐jin Kim, Kyu Eun Lee
SJR Q1Surgery
Endocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismMedicine
14
Article|78 citations·2015
Factors Affecting the Locoregional Recurrence of Conventional Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma After Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis of 3381 Patients
Yong Joon Suh, Hyungju Kwon, Su‐jin Kim, June Young Choi, Kyu Eun Lee, Young Joo Park, Do Joon Park, Yeo‐Kyu Youn
SJR Q1Annals of Surgical Oncology
Endocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismMedicine
15
Review|78 citations·2014
Systematic Review of Surgical Approaches for Adrenal Tumors: Lateral Transperitoneal versus Posterior Retroperitoneal and Laparoscopic versus Robotic Adrenalectomy
Young Jun Chai, Hyungju Kwon, Hyeong Won Yu, Su‐jin Kim, June Young Choi, Kyu Eun Lee, Yeo‐Kyu Youn
SJR Q3International Journal of EndocrinologyOA

Background. Laparoscopic lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy (LTA) has been the standard method for resecting benign adrenal gland tumors. Recently, however, laparoscopic posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (PRA) has been more popular as an alternative method. This systematic review evaluates current evidence on adrenalectomy techniques, comparing laparoscopic LTA with PRA and laparoscopic adrenalectomy with robotic adrenalectomy. Methods. PubMed, Embase, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases

SurgeryMedicine

Research Areas

SurgeryEndocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismCancer ResearchMolecular BiologyNephrologyPhysiology

Dive deeper into Lee, Kyu Eun's research on Nubint

Open this lab's papers in the app to read with AI, summarize, and cite in your writing.