TORS with the Flex Robotic System in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal tumors – First oncological Results

Background The Flex Robotic System is a flexible robotic device specifically developed for TORS.

Methods We performed a prospective clinical study, assessing the efficacy of the Flex Robotic System in the surgery of laryngeal and hypopharyneal head and neck tumors. From July 2014 until 2019 we performed in 29 patients with supraglottic cancer (T1=11; T2=17; T3=1), 9 patients with glottic cancer (T1=6; T2=3) and 15 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer (T1=5; T2=10) a transoral resection with the Flex Robotic System. Access and visualization of different anatomic subsites were individually graded by the surgeon. Set up times, access and visualization times, surgical Results as well as adverse events and system malfunctions were documented intraoperatively. Clinical and oncological outcomes were documented. The mean follow up was 18 months.

Results The lesions could be exposed and visualized properly in 51 of 53 patients and the surgical procedures performed with the Flex^® Robotic System were intraoperatively evaluated as successful. Especially in anatomic regions difficult to reach such as aryepiglottic fold, postcricoid or piriform sinus, the system provided a good surgical overview. No serious adverse events occurred. 2-year disease-free survival for hypopharyngeal, supraglottic and glottic tumors was 72 %, 72 % and 100 % respectively. Local control was 94 %.

Conclusion Hypopharyngeal and laryngeal tumors in areas surgically difficult to reach, could be successfully resected using the Flex® Robotic System. The Results suggest excellent local tumor control due to good intraoperative exposure of hypopharyngeal and supraglottic tumors.

Poster-PDF A-2017.PDF

Stefan Mattheis received speaker honorary and reimbursement of travel expenses from Medrobotics Corp., Raynham, MA, USA

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
10. Juni 2020