[Anesthesia in transoral robot-assisted surgery]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Anesthesiology
• Robotic Surgery

Context:

• Transoral robot-assisted surgery (TORS) is a minimally invasive approach for head and neck procedures.
• TORS provides enhanced precision and reduced trauma but introduces unique anesthesiological challenges.
• Airway management, anesthesia, and perioperative care are critical considerations in TORS.

Purpose:

• To review anesthesiological challenges in TORS, focusing on airway management.
• To discuss various airway management techniques and their pros and cons.
• To evaluate novel tools like the Tritube© and ventilation methods such as flow-controlled ventilation (FCV).

Summary:

• TORS necessitates careful airway management due to potential difficulties and the need to maintain surgical access.
• Several airway securing options exist, with the ultra-thin Tritube© offering new possibilities.
• Flow-controlled ventilation (FCV) is compared with traditional volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) and pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV).

Impact:

• Provides an overview of anesthesia management in TORS.
• Highlights potential risks associated with TORS anesthesia.
• Outlines strategies for mitigating risks and improving patient outcomes in TORS procedures.