Robotic Head and Neck Surgery: Lessons Learned and Future Opportunities

Abstract

Program Description: Robotic technology has penetrated most surgical disciplines in the past 5 years, and has now been embraced for a number of head and neck applications including transoral resection of aerodigestive tumors and thyroidectomy. Undoubtedly, further expansion of robotic procedures can be anticipated, and it is prudent to learn from challenges encountered during the development process. Experts in the field of robotic surgery will describe the development of this technology as it relates to specific procedures, and the following questions will be addressed by each discussant: 1) What was the compelling motivation to explore robotic application to the specific procedure? 2) What were the principal challenges encountered in refining and exporting the techniques learned? 3) If you had to do it over again, what would you have done differently in either development, training, or early application of the technique? 4) How do the costs compare with the patient benefit? The topics that will be addressed are transoral resection of supraglottic and oropharyngeal tumors, transoral surgery for benign conditions, remote access thyroidectomy, and novel applications under development (including neck dissection and skull base surgery). This will be an interactive session and audience participation will be actively encouraged. The difficult questions regarding this new technology will be asked, including cost-benefit ratios and responsible implementation among general practices. Educational Objectives: 1) Recognize the transoral application of robotic technology for benign and malignant supraglottic and oropharyngeal conditions. 2) Understand the current state-of-the-art robotic approach to remote access thyroidectomy. 3) Become familiar with novel applications under development (including neck dissection and skull base surgery).