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Robotic Head and Neck Surgery: History, Technical Evolution and the Future.
George Garas1,2, Asit Arora3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdomg.garas@imperial.ac.uk.
Summary
Robotic surgery, pioneered in 1985, has advanced significantly with the da Vinci® system enabling minimally invasive procedures like transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Future innovations aim to improve safety, expand applications, and reduce costs for wider accessibility.
Area of Science:
- Robotic Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- The first surgical robot application was in 1985 for stereotactic brain biopsy.
- The da Vinci® system, a leading surgical robot, debuted in head and neck surgery in 2005.
- Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) expanded indications rapidly after its introduction.
Observation:
- TORS is now used for various head and neck tumors, including oropharynx, hypopharynx, and supraglottic larynx cancers.
- Robotic technology is also employed for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and scarless thyroid/parathyroid surgery.
- The high cost of current robotic systems is a major barrier to widespread adoption.
Findings:
- The da Vinci® robot has been successfully applied in numerous head and neck procedures.
- Indications for TORS have significantly broadened since its inception.
- Novel robotic systems are under development to enhance safety and reduce costs.
Implications:
- Future robotic surgery may incorporate augmented reality (AR) for real-time image guidance.
- Advancements include miniaturization (nanorobots) and autonomous robotic capabilities.
- These developments are expected to increase patient safety, expand surgical options, and lower healthcare costs.
