Robotic Surgery Treats Tonsil Cancer

TUESDAY, Dec. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A new robotic surgical systemshows promise in the removal of cancer involving the tonsils, researcherssay.
According to a team at the University of Pennsylvania, the transoralrobotic surgery (TORS) system includes three instrument-holding roboticarms and a central arm with an endoscope, an optical instrument with twovideo cameras that offers a three-dimensional view for the surgeon, whouses handles on a console to control the movement of the robotic arms.
This study included 27 patients who had radical tonsillectomy to treatcancer. In 25 (93 percent) of the patients, surgeons were able to use TORSto remove all cancerous tissues. The average length of stay after surgerywas just under two hours. After the procedure, 26 of the patients wereable to swallow without the use of a stomach tube.
Complications occurred in five (19 percent) of the patients, and mostof those were resolved without significant consequences, the study authorssaid.
"Radical tonsillectomy using TORS is a new technique that offersexcellent access for resection of carcinomas of the tonsil with acceptableacute morbidity," or complications, the researchers concluded. "Futurereports will focus on long-term oncologic and functional outcomes."
Two of the study authors received payment from Intuitive Surgical Inc.for time, materials and teaching a TORS workshop.
The findings were published in the December issue of the journalArchives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.