ROBOTICS IN ENT HEAD AND NECK SURGERY

Robot assisted surgery in the specialty of ENT Head and Neck Surgery can be classified into Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) for lesions in the oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx and Remote access surgery through a hidden Retro Auricular Hairline Incision (RAHI) for removal of neck masses without leaving a scar in the visible portion of the neck. TORS has the advantages of excellent three-dimensional visualization, magnification in all directions, accessibility to the otherwise blind areas in the upper aero digestive tract. TORS offers significant benefits and lower morbidity rates as compared to the conventional surgical procedures and other adjunctive treatments like chemoradiation in selected patients. The indications of robotic surgery are expanding with the introduction of the retroauricular approach for various neck lesions which includes thyroidectomy, removal of tumors from parathyroid glands, parapharyngeal space, submandibular gland, branchial cleft cyst and neck dissection for metastatic cervical lymphadenopathy. This approach will become popular with young patients who want better cosmesis. With the latest innovative developments in the technology and design of surgical robots, robotic surgery will continue to occupy an increasingly important role in the specialty of ENT-Head and neck surgery. In the future, we will see the widespread application of robotics not only for TORS or Retroauricular approach neck surgeries but also in Otology, Skull base and Paediatric Otolaryngology. Keywords: Robot assisted surgery, Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS), Remote access surgery.