Trans-oral robotic submandibular gland removal

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Submandibular gland excision traditionally uses a trans-cervical approach, risking nerve injury and neck scarring.
• Complications include damage to facial, lingual, and hypoglossal nerves, and visible scars.
• Trans-oral approaches can mitigate these risks and eliminate cervical incisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel application of robotic surgery for trans-oral submandibular gland excision.
• To offer a minimally invasive, scarless surgical option for patients with recurrent submandibular gland issues.
• To evaluate the feasibility of the da Vinci Surgical Robot in this specific trans-oral procedure.

Main Methods:

• A 51-year-old female patient with a 15-year history of recurrent sialoadenitis underwent the procedure.
• The da Vinci Surgical Robot was utilized for a trans-oral approach to remove the submandibular gland.
• The patient had a prior history of rhytidectomy and cervicoplasty, preferring a scarless approach.

Main Results:

• The trans-oral robotic surgery successfully removed the submandibular gland.
• This approach avoided a cervical incision, addressing the patient's primary concern.
• Potential complications associated with the traditional trans-cervical route were circumvented.

Conclusions:

• Trans-oral robotic surgery represents a novel and effective method for submandibular gland excision.
• This technique offers a viable, scarless alternative to conventional surgery, particularly for patients with prior neck procedures.
• Further research may explore the broader application of this robotic approach in head and neck surgery.