[Current application and future development trends of robotic head and neck surgery]

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Robotics
• Head and Neck Oncology

Background:

• Traditional 2D endoscopic surgery presents limitations in visualization and precision.
• Surgical robots offer a 10-fold magnified field of view, 3D visualization, and stable robotic arms.
• These advancements address the inherent challenges in complex head and neck procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the applications of surgical robots in head and neck tumor surgeries.
• To evaluate the benefits of robotic surgery in terms of minimally invasive approaches and functional outcomes.
• To explore future trends and innovations in robotic head and neck surgery.

Main Methods:

• Review of multi-center research data on surgical robot applications.
• Analysis of robotic surgery outcomes in laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal tumors, thyroid tumors, and neck cysts.
• Discussion of emerging technologies like single-port robots, VR/AR, AI, and 5G remote surgery.

Main Results:

• Surgical robots demonstrate significant advantages in minimally invasive procedures for various head and neck tumors.
• Enhanced visualization and precision contribute to improved functional preservation.
• Robotic surgery is effective for treating supraglottic/glottic laryngeal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, thyroid tumors, and neck cysts.

Conclusions:

• Surgical robots are revolutionizing head and neck cancer treatment, offering precise, minimally invasive care.
• Continued technological integration, including AI and VR/AR, will further enhance robotic surgical capabilities.
• The future points towards an era of highly precise, minimally invasive care driven by robotic advancements.