Robotic surgery is effective to remove throat cancer are difficult to access

Surgeons at the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. have found that robotic surgery may be a new treatment option for throat cancer are difficult to access.

Surgical treatment, already used to treat cancer of the head and neck, allowed patients with tumors in the throat avoid further treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy and continued eating and talking normally.

The study of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) nine patients followed for up to three years after the removal of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma, which affects the area of ​​the larynx above the vocal cords.

Most patients had advanced stage disease. Results showed that TORS effectively removes the cancer in a less invasive and is more easily accomplished than the approach of the transoral laser microsurgery through a laryngoscope.

The patients also underwent surgical removal of lymph nodes adjacent in the same operation.

We were pleased with the results on cancer, "said researcher Kerry Olsen." We also found that patients had minimal problems after surgery, in most cases resuming feeding, swallowing and speech normal. "

How it works

TORS with robotic arms that enter the mouth include a fine camera, an arm with a scalpel or laser and an arm with a tightening tool to gather and grasp tissue.

The surgeon sits at a console, controlling instruments and viewing the surgical field in a three-dimensional screen.

"The camera improves visibility," said Olsen. "We also gain the ability to see around corners and maneuver in tight spaces and believe we will be able to remove more tumors in the throat than with traditional approaches of the past."

The use of robotic surgery depends on the architecture of throat cancer and a patient's neck, along with the type and extent of the tumor.

"What we know of this study is that for laryngeal cancer, we have another surgical tool effectively. We can also customize cancer treatment for each patient and provide individualized care," said Olsen.

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