Robotic selective neck dissection by a postauricular facelift approach: comparison with conventional neck dissection.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) management often involves neck dissection.
• Conventional neck dissection can lead to significant cosmetic defects.
• Minimally invasive approaches are being explored to improve patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of robot-assisted selective neck dissection (SND) via a postauricular facelift approach.
• To compare this robotic technique with conventional neck dissection in HNSCC patients.

Main Methods:

• A case series with chart review was conducted at a university tertiary care hospital.
• Thirty HNSCC patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) necks were included.
• Patients underwent either robot-assisted SND (12 necks) or conventional neck dissection (21 necks).

Main Results:

• Robot-assisted SND was successfully completed in all patients.
• Operative time was longer for the robotic group (215 min vs. 144 min).
• No significant difference in lymph node yield or postoperative complications was observed, but cosmetic satisfaction was higher with the robotic approach.

Conclusions:

• Robot-assisted SND via a postauricular facelift approach is comparable to conventional neck dissection for selected cN0 HNSCC patients.
• This robotic technique provides excellent postoperative cosmesis.
• It represents a viable alternative for improving aesthetic outcomes in neck dissection.