Efficacy of robotic transoral surgery (TORS) in the setting of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC). An integrative literature review

• Published in: Revista Portuguesa Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço
• Main Authors: Lauro Roberto de Azevedo Setton, Carlos Rodolfo de Góis, Daniel Vasconcelos D’Ávila, Roosevelt Almeida Rosário, Nelson Almeida Davila Melo, Scheilla Kristina Mesquita Salviano, Marta Dória dos Santos, Thiago Ribeiro Oliveira, Pedro Paulo Bittencourt Silva, Yuri Mark dos Santos Ribeiro, Antônio Roberto Ferreira Setton
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Portuguese Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery 2023-11-01
• Subjects: Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS); Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC); Oropharyngeal Cancer (OPSCC)
• Online Access: https://journalsporl.com/index.php/sporl/article/view/2049
• ISSN: 2184-6499

Introduction: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) demonstrates surprising oncological results from remarkable precision, maneuverability and expanded vision, but there is a gap in surgeons' knowledge regarding its effectiveness compared to other therapeutic methods. Objective: To review the indications, advantages, disadvantages and complications of transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal tumors (TORS) compared to other therapeutic methods. Methods: Integrative literature review conducted through PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library databases from 2011 to 2022. 25 articles were included in the study Discussion/Results: There was a significant reduction in the risk of margin invasion compared to the traditional open technique (9.5% vs. 19.1%), as well as a reduction in the recurrence of primary tumors (8.3% vs. 17.8%). TORS together with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) are associated with a higher primary screening rate than open lingual tonsillectomy (80% vs. 72%). Conclusion: TORS is a safe and concise surgical technique that allows resection with millimeter margins and superhuman precision. Furthermore, there is a need for more studies with more robust databases in order to analyze the gaps that are still present regarding the results of TORS outcomes in the long term.