Robotic surgery in otorhinolaryngology and head-and-neck oncology

Abstract

Robotic technology applications in the surgical and medical disciplines have been developed gradually over many years with few contributions from many sources. Over conventional open procedures, these technologies provide a variety of benefits, including enhanced cosmesis, lower morbidity, and higher surgical safety. In < 2 decades, robotic surgery in otorhinolaryngology has advanced fast. It has been utilized in the surgical treatment of several pathological lesions and has become the part of the standard care in the treatment of oropharyngeal malignancies. Robotic surgery provides improved visualization, instrumentation, and ergonomics in comparison to conventional approaches in otorhinolaryngology, although cost remains a concern. Future robotic surgery will use technological innovation to higher visualization, expand surgical access, and even augment surgical decision-making with artificial intelligence. In this review article, we discuss the history of robotic surgery, the use of robotic surgery in otorhinolaryngology and head-and-neck surgery, and advantages and disadvantages of robotic surgery.