Beyond TORS: Robotic Head and Neck Surgery (2023 AMW) Session
2023 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO Experience
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: In parallel to the development and establishment of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) among head and neck surgeons in the last decade, the combination of this highly technological surgical tool with the seek for reduce esthetic and psychosocial consequences of some procedures as neck dissections and thyroid surgery has driven the development of different remote access approaches to the neck and thyroid gland. However, due to various concerns of exposure and visualization, many head and neck surgeons remain hesitant to use these modalities of minimal invasive techniques, despite encouraging initial safety and oncological outcomes demonstrated by some groups around the globe, sustaining significant controversy around the effectiveness of such procedures when compared to conventional well-stablished techniques. In this program, we will discuss technical aspects and explore the results obtained by head and neck and endocrine surgeons with robotic thyroid surgery and neck dissection using remote approaches, tackling the controversy around the topic. This discussion could clarify the real role of these techniques in out practice encouraging adoption among otolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons.OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Analyze outcomes and potential benefits of robotic neck dissection and robotic thyroid surgeryOUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Demonstrate technical feasibility of these techniquesOUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Explore the controversy around the topic focusing on the current available data.BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Discuss pros and cons of robotic surgery in neck dissection and thyroidectomy patients, stimulating the adoption of these techniques that have shown superior cosmetic and functional outcomes.