Transoral Robotic Surgery for the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer of Various Localizations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a recent endoscopic technique to resect selected head and neck cancers. STUDY DESIGN: In total, 13 patients underwent TORS procedure for resection of head and neck cancers of various localizations, within the ENT Department of Limoges University Hospital Center between March and October 2010. RESULTS: Tumor localizations were aryepiglottic fold (n = 3), pyriform sinus (n = 2), posterior pharyngeal wall (n = 2), base of tongue (n = 2), lateral pharyngeal wall (n = 2), vallecula (n = 1), and epiglottis (n = 1). Average TORS setup time was 23 minutes. Average TORS operative time was 45 minutes. Average hospital stay was 8.4 days. CONCLUSIONS: TORS is a new technique that permits excellent resection of selected head and neck cancers with poor morbidity. Future reports on long-term oncologic and functional outcomes are needed to assess the risks and benefits of this approach compared with external approaches and nonsurgical alternatives.