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Current Advances in Robotics for Head and Neck Surgery-A Systematic Review
Felix Boehm1,2, Rene Graesslin1,2, Marie-Nicole Theodoraki1,2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, 89075 Ulm, Germany.
Cancers
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) shows potential in head and neck procedures, but clinical evidence is limited. More large-scale trials are needed to establish safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness for this surgical field.
Area of Science:
- Medical Technology
- Surgical Innovation
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) is increasingly adopted in urology, gynecology, and general surgery.
- The clinical effectiveness and safety of RAS in head and neck surgery remain under-established.
- This review assesses RAS applicability, current routine use, and comparative advantages in head and neck surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential applications of RAS in head and neck surgery.
- To identify areas where RAS is currently standard practice.
- To compare the advantages of RAS against conventional surgical methods.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of trials published between 2000 and 2021.
- Inclusion of currently ongoing trials registered in clinicaltrials.gov.
- Results categorized by anatomical regions, costs, current trials, and robotic research.
Main Results:
- A significant lack of large-scale, randomized controlled trials for RAS in head and neck surgery.
- Most existing studies comprise small case series or lack comparative control arms.
- Key challenges include unanswered questions regarding financial reimbursement and system-specific improvements needed for head and neck applications.
Conclusions:
- The clinical utility of RAS in head and neck surgery requires further robust investigation.
- Current evidence is insufficient to establish widespread adoption or clear benefits over conventional techniques.
- Future research should focus on generating high-quality data and addressing technological and financial barriers.
