Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) with the Flex Robotic System in patients with hypopharygeal and laryngeal tumors

Introduction:

The Flex Robotic System is a flexible robotic device with instruments specifically developed for TORS in Larynx and Hypopharynx.

Methods:

We performed a prospective clinical study, assessing the efficacy of the Medrobotics Flex® Robotic System in the surgery of head and neck tumors. From 2014 until 2017 a total of 34 patients required a surgical procedure for malign lesions (T1 and T2 carcinoma) of the larynx (n = 20) and hypopharynx (14). Access and visualization of different anatomic subsites were individually graded by the surgeon. Set up times, access and visualization times, surgical results as well as adverse events and system malfunctions were documented intraoperatively. The mean follow up was 18 months.

Results:

The lesions could be exposed and visualized properly in all patients. The surgical procedures performed with the Flex® Robotic System were intraoperatively evaluated as successful. Especially in anatomic regions difficult to reach such as aryepiglottic fold, postcricoid or piriform sinus, the system provided a good surgical overview. In most cases en-bloc resections were possible. No serious adverse events occurred. We observed two local recurrences during follow-up.

Conclusions:

Hypopharyngeal or larngeal tumors could be successfully resected using the Flex® Robotic System. First follow-up data shows good oncological results. New indications for surgery and surgical techniques can be established.

Publikationsverlauf

Publikationsdatum:
18. April 2018 (online)