What is its indication for Otorhinolaryngology?
Transoral Robotic Surgery has been approved by the FDA as a safe alternative surgical method in patients with benign head and neck lesions.
What are the advantages compared to open surgery and endoscopic surgery with Laser?
- faster return of the patient to normal daily activities
- fewer complications compared to standard open surgery
- reduced possibility of long ingestion problems, usually caused by the other treatment options
- shorter hospitalisation
- fewer scars
- lower inflammation rate
- reduced needs for blood transfusion
- avoidance of tracheostomy as a routine procedure
- safer estimate of healthy limits, intraoperatively
- reoperation option in case of recurrence, following radiotherapy or surgery
- improved access compared to Co2 Laser, in patients with limited neck mobility and limited range of their mouth opening.
ENT Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery is an innovation of the 21st century for doctors and patients alike. About 20 years ago the first surgery without operative wound was performed, creating a new specialty in the surgical field: minimally invasive surgery, concerning almost all fields of medical science.
Otorhinolaryngology could not be an exception and has nowadays brought about developments in the repair and complete cure of diseases, that once seemed incurable. Robotic surgery in otorhinolaryngology is the most modern way to access the oral cavity. ENT surgeons use micro-tools and camera in the oral cavity-pharynx-larynx, which are directed by the surgeon through the console next to the surgical area.
The latest developments of robotic surgery in otorhinolaryngology
Transoral Robotic surgery
In 2004 Gregory Weinstein and Bert O’Malley invented the first international application program for transoral robotic surgery. Since then it has been established as the most safe surgical alternative for patients with benign conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnoea and early malignant diseases.
Advantages:
- The micro-tools used in the oral cavity have high rotational capacity, and can therefore quickly resolve disturbances
- ENT surgeons operate the surgery via a console, without interfering in person
- The camera provides three-dimensional image and enlargement
Therapeutic benefits of robotics as compared to other methods
- Patients return faster to their daily activities
- Unlike standard open surgery, complications are minimal
- Less scarring and inflammation
- Option of safe reoperation in case of recurrence of patients, following radiotherapy or surgery
Da Vinci robotic system
Internationally, the indications for Transoral Robotic Surgery are:
Α)Benign conditions
1. Obstructive sleep apnoea
Tongue root surgery, in case of lingual tonsil hypertrophy
2. Palatopharyngoplasty
Benign oral-pharyngeal-laryngeal-hypopharyngeal tumours
Β)Malignancies
Resection of tumours: 1. Of the root of the tongue and tonsils
Of the posterior pharyngeal wall
Of the supraglottic larynx
Of the hypopharynx
2. Investigation of unknown primary head and neck cancer
The Da Vinci robotic system is currently the only system in the world providing minimum intervention possible in the patient’s body.
Each move is converted with high precision by the robotic system. This alone is sufficient to conclude that the Da Vinci surgical robot optimizes accuracy and skill, resulting in completely successful surgery
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