Transoral robotic surgery versus conventional surgery in treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract

Abstract

Background: The purpose of our work was to compare a group of patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS group) for squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract and a matched group of patients undergoing conventional surgery (conventional surgery group) for the same indication.

Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, 26 patients were included in each group.

Results: There were significantly fewer tracheotomies in the TORS group (p < .001). The mean durations of feeding by nasogastric tube and hospitalization were shorter for the TORS group (p = .001). There was no significant difference in disease-free survival at 3 years (p = .76). Mean treatment cost was $7124 lower for the TORS group (p = .03).

Conclusion: This comparative study shows that robotic technology can be used to treat selected squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract, reducing morbidity and treatment costs while providing equivalent cancer control at 3 years.

Keywords: conventional surgery; minimally invasive surgery; squamous cell carcinoma; transoral robotic surgery; upper aerodigestive tract.