Transoral Robotic Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To perform a systematic review of the international biomedical literature evaluating the effectiveness, complications, and safety of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and EMB Reviews databases were searched up to November 27, 2015.

Two authors systematically and independently searched for articles on TORS for the treatment of OSA in adults that reported either outcomes for the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation percentage (LSAT) or changes in the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and/or rates and types of complications associated with the operation.

In total, 181 records were identified and 16 articles met inclusion criteria. Transoral robotic surgery was almost always combined with other sleep surgery procedures. The summary estimate of the decrease in AHI using TORS as part of a multilevel surgical approach was 24.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.1-25.8; P < .001, I(2) = 99%). The summary estimate of a decrease in ESS score was 7.2 (95% CI, 6.6-7.7; P < .001, I(2) = 99%) and of the overall surgical "success" (defined as AHI <20 and 50% reduction) was 48.2% (95% CI, 38.8%-57.7%; P < .001, I(2) = 99%). Three large studies reported on their total complication rates with an average of 22.3% (range, 20.5%-24.7%).

The initial results for the use of TORS as part of a multilevel surgical approach for OSA are promising for select patients. However, the cost and morbidity may be greater than with other techniques offsetting its advantages in visualization and precision. More prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal role of this tool.