Transoral robotic lingual tonsillectomy in adults: preliminary results

Hypertrophy of lingual tonsils can be safely and effectively managed by transoral robotic surgery via a minimally invasive approach. The operating costs can be relatively high although the advantages to patients seem to justify the procedure. Transoral robotic surgery can represent the definitive treatment in hypertrophy of the lingual tonsils.

The purpose of this work was to assess the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of transoral robotic surgery for lingual tonsillar hypertrophy in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

Retrospective medical records of six patients who underwent tongue base resection using the da Vinci Surgical Robotic System from September, 2012 through December, 2013 in a tertiary care hospital were evaluated. Demographic data, preoperative and postoperative polysomnography and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, robot docking time, operative and postoperative aspects including surgical time, amount of bleeding, and early and late complications were collected and analyzed.

All patients successfully underwent lingual tonsillectomy using the da Vinci Surgical system. Transnasal endotracheal entubation was performed in all patients and they were all extubated before leaving the operation room. No tracheotomies were performed perioperatively for airway management. The patients were discharged on the fifth postoperative day. Operative time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative complication profiles were within the expected and acceptable limits for lingual tonsillectomy. There was a statistically significant decrease in apnea hypopnea index (AHI) (mean AHI from 27.5 to 6.3) and ESS scores (from 14.1 to 7.1).