Robotic Surgery Through the Mouth Safe and Effective

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for supraglottic laryngectomy is an efficient way to remove tumors of the throat and larynx, according to a new study.

Researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (Columbus, OH, USA) conducted a preliminary study that examined the outcomes of 13 head and neck cancer patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent TORS supraglottic laryngectomy. The preliminary study is part of a larger prospective study involving 126 patients who underwent TORS between 2008 and 2011 to investigate the efficiency, safety, and functional outcomes of the procedure.

The results showed that negative surgical margins were achieved in all patients, and the average robotic operative time and estimated blood loss were 25.3 minutes and 15.4 mL, respectively. No surgical complications were encountered, and 11 of the 13 patients could accept an oral diet within 24 hours. Two patients (15.4%) received adjuvant radiation therapy based on pathology. The study was published ahead of print on August 21, 2012, in Head and Neck.

“The transoral robotic technique means shorter surgery, less time under anesthesia, a lower risk of complications and shorter hospital stays for these patients,” said lead author clinical associate professor of otolaryngology Enver Ozer, MD. “It also means no external surgical incisions for the patient and better 3-D visualization of the tumor for the surgeon.”

TORS is a group of minimally invasive robotic surgery techniques that enable surgeons to remove benign and malignant tumors of the mouth and throat. Designed to avoid incisions for primary site resection, TORS is performed through the patient's mouth and provides access to the small and often difficult-to-reach areas of the mouth and throat, resulting in virtually scarless head and neck surgery.

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Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center