Transoral Robot-assisted Surgery Research Articles

Transoral Laser Microsurgery versus Robot-Assisted Surgery for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue Base (Oncological and Functional Results)-A Retrospective GETTEC Multicenter Study.

The base of the tongue (BOT) is the second most common site for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the oropharynx. There are currently no clear guidelines for the management of BOT SCC. Our main objective was to compare the oncological outcomes of two minimally invasive approaches, transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and transoral robot-assisted surgery (TORS). This was a retrospective French GETTEC (Groupe d'Études des Tumeurs de la Tête et du Cou) multicenter study of patients with BOT SCC removed surgically either by TLM or TORS between 2005 and 2021. The study group included 16 patients treated by TLM and 38 by TORS, with median follow-up times of 14.4 and 37.2 months, respectively. The overall survival (OS) rates at 2 and 3 years were 67% in the TLM group and 90% at 2 years and 86% at 3 years in the TORS group (p = 0.42, p = 0.20). There was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival (RFS) between the two techniques after 2 and 3 years. The tumors removed by TORS were significantly larger. Operative times were significantly shorter in the TLM group. There were no differences in feeding resumption; none of the patients in the TLM group required a tracheotomy. Postoperative hemorrhagic complication rates were similar in the two groups (12% for TLM and 13% for TORS). Both TORS and TLM showed encouraging oncological, functional, and safety results in BOT SCC even in recurrence or second primary cancer patients, without a technique being found superior in terms of OS or RFS. Tumors removed by TORS were larger without an increase in postoperative bleeding, extending the possibilities of transoral treatment.

Current Therapeutic Strategies for Patients with Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma: Oncologic and Functional Outcomes.

Hypopharyngeal cancer is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and is associated with a high risk of recurrence and poor survival rates. Although they differ greatly in terms of prognosis, hypopharyngeal cancers are usually treated together with laryngeal cancers in clinical trials. Therefore, there are very few studies that focus specifically on patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma. As a result, the therapeutic management of these patients is highly debated, and their clinical outcomes are poorly reported. The aim of this review is therefore to discuss the current therapeutic options in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma and their oncologic and functional outcomes. Patients with early-stage tumors can be treated either by conservative surgery (including transoral robot-assisted surgery) or by RT alone. However, most patients are diagnosed with locally advanced tumors that cannot be treated surgically without total laryngectomy. In this situation, the critical issue is to select the patients eligible for a larynx preservation therapeutic program. However, radical surgery with total laryngectomy still plays an important role in the management of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma, either as the primary treatment modality (T4 resectable primary tumor, contraindication to larynx preservation therapies) or, more commonly, as salvage treatment.

Roboterassistierte Chirurgie in der Kopf-Hals-Region

BackgroundIn head and neck surgery, robot-assisted interventions have not yet become established in clinical routine. This is surprising given the earlier enthusiasm for transoral robot-assisted surgery (TORS) and robotic successes in other specialties such as general surgery, urology and gynaecology.MethodsThe review article describes some of the currently available robotic systems for head and neck surgery. For this purpose, a selective literature search was carried out on PubMed using the keywords “head”, “neck”, “TORS”, “robotic surgery”, “oncology” and “skull base”.ResultsThe currently available systems are not adequately adapted for regular use in the head and neck area due to the anatomically limited space and the sometimes difficult to reach operating areas.ConclusionThe market in the head and neck area does not appear to be large enough for the necessary adaptation. Regional differences must also be taken into account. Robotic surgery in general and TORS are much more widespread in the Anglo-American region than in the European or Asian markets. Nevertheless, some current feasibility studies show the potential, but also the risks in the use of robotics in head and neck surgery.

Transorale Resektion von supraglottischen Larynxkarzinomen mit dem Flex Robotic System

The Flex Robotic System (Medrobotics, Raynham, MA, USA) allows flexible transoral endoscopic resection of head and neck tumors. The current article presents functional and first oncologic experiences with flexible transoral robot-assisted surgery for resection of supraglottic laryngeal tumors. From July 2014 to February 2020, supraglottic cancers in 32patients (T1 = 11, T2 = 20, T3 = 1) were resected using the Flex Robotic System in the authors' clinic. Within aprospective clinical study, the feasibility, complications, and oncologic results were assessed. Tumors could be exposed, visualized, and successfully resected in all patients. In difficult-to-reach anatomic regions such as the aryepiglottic fold or petiole, the system provided avery good surgical overview. No serious adverse events occurred. Overall survival and local tumor control after 2years were 88 and 94%, respectively. In conclusion, supraglottic tumors in difficult-to-reach areas have been successfully resected using the Flex Robotic System, with excellent local tumor control.

Second branchial cleft anomalies in children: a literature review.

Branchial cleft anomalies are the second most common head and neck congenital lesions in children. It may sometimes be a part of branchio-oto-renal (BOR) syndrome, so in patients with branchial cleft anomalies associated with a complaint of auricular deformity or a similar history and findings in other family members, we should take an additional examination to find the possibility of BOR syndrome. Complete excision is essential for good prognosis. For the management of branchial cleft anomalies, various methods have been reported. Endoscopically assisted dissection technique and transoral robot-assisted surgery were used in the management of fistula and allowed excellent visualization of the pharyngeal component of the lesion and a minimally invasive approach. It is essential for the surgeon to fully comprehend the congenital lesions to attain the correct preoperative diagnosis and plan for an appropriate surgical approach to prevent the most common complication and recurrence in these lesions. The following sections discuss the anatomy, common presentation, auxiliary examination, differential diagnosis, the current principles of surgical treatment and prognosis for second branchial cleft anomalies in children, and discussed the branchio-oto-renal syndrome.

Teleoperated tubular continuum robots for transoral surgery - feasibility in a porcine larynx model.

Evidence suggests that transoral robot-assisted surgery is becoming increasingly common, yet current systems are incapable of sufficiently reaching the glottis or subglottic areas. This paper presents a teleoperated tubular continuum robot prototype for laryngeal surgery in a feasibility study. A tubular continuum robot prototype is used to perform basic surgical examination in five ex vivo porcine laryngeal specimens. Standard imaging and tooling were integrated and evaluated to improve the system for future application in humans. Access to and application of the tubular continuum robot in the porcine larynx is feasible. Visualization of and accessibility to all structures of interest were successfully achieved, and minor surgical procedures such as biopsies could be performed. Despite proven feasibility, there is a need for further improvements. A version with dual robot arms would be essential to realize a pre-market prototype for further investigation in a human model.

Comparative analysis of resection tools suited for transoral robot-assisted surgery

Introduction of transoral robot-assisted surgery (TORS) has a strong potential to facilitate surgical therapy of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) by decreasing the indication for an external surgical approach. However, the availability of resection tools is limited and comparative studies in the context of TORS are not available. In the context of the newest da Vinci Si HD(®) robotic system, various dissection methods were compared in a surgical animal model using porcine tongue at three different sites representing mucosal, muscular and lymphatic tissue. Resection methods included (a) CO2 laser tube, (b) flexible fiber Tm:YAG laser, (c) monopolar blade, and (d) radio frequency (RF) needle. Specimens were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, cut, and stained with haematoxylin-eosin. Dissected tissue was examined for the width of the incision as well as the individual coagulation zone of each tool at various tissue sites. In addition, instrument costs and performance were determined. The incisions made by the RF needle had the most favourable cutting width and also smaller coagulation defects, as opposed to other tools, granting the best preservation of tumour-adjacent structures and improved pathological assessment. Instrument performance was best evaluated for CO2 laser and RF needle, whereas financial expenses were lowest for RF needle and monopolar blade. Improvement and modification of resection tools for TORS become a relevant criterion in order to facilitate routine usage in the surgical therapy of HNSCC. A consequent decrease in surgical mortality and improved precision of surgical tumour resection could lead to a significant clinical growth potential of TORS.

Clinical outcomes of transoral robot-assisted supraglottic laryngectomy: An experience of a French cooperative evaluation group of transoral robotic surgery.

6053 Background: Transoral, minimally invasive organ preservation surgeries are being increasingly used for laryngopharyngeal carcinomas to avoid the toxicities of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy regimens. This study investigates the efficiency, safety, and functional outcomes of transoral robot assisted surgery (TORAS) for supraglottic laryngectomy. Methods: Experience of TORA supraglottic laryngectomy for patients with supraglottic carcinomas is presented in a multicentric study of a case series with planned data collection between 2009 and 2012. Results: Eighty-six of 262 patients underwent TORA supraglottic laryngectomy for supraglottic carcinomas. Thirty-three percent of patients were started an oral diet within 24 hours. For 77% of the other patients, the median use of a feeding tube was 8 days (0-10 months). Nine percent of them had a definitive percutaneous gastrostomy feeding. For 87% of patients no tracheotomy was performed, for 23% of the others patients, the median use of tracheotomy was 8 days, 3% of them had a definitive tracheotomy. Aspiration was observed in 22% of the patients in the postoperative course and was responsible for the death of one patient. Sixteen percent of the patients had a postoperative bleeding. Fifty percent of the patients received adjuvant radiation therapy based on pathology results. Conclusions: TORA supraglottic laryngectomy is a safe procedure with good functional outcomes and fast recovery but adverse events are possible. Consequently this technique needs a good selection of the patients to reduce the risk of postoperative complications.

Minimally invasive techniques for head and neck malignancies: current indications, outcomes and future directions

The trend toward minimally invasive surgery, appropriately applied, has evolved over the past three decades to encompass all fields of surgery, including curative intent cancer surgery of the head and neck. Proper patient and tumor selection are fundamental to optimizing oncological and functional outcomes in such a personalized approach to cancer treatment. Training, experience, and appropriate technological equipment are prerequisites for any type of minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of currently available techniques and the evidence justifying their use. Much evidence is in favor of routine use of transoral laser resection, transoral robot-assisted surgery, transnasal endoscopic resection, sentinel node biopsy, and endoscopic neck surgery for selected malignant tumors, by experienced surgical teams. Technological advances will enhance the scope of this type of surgery in the future and physicians need to be aware of the current applications and trends.