Transoral robotic surgery for supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose: We present our experience with the use of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for treatment of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We studied all patients who underwent TORS for supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma, with or without adjuvant therapy, from March 2007 through June 2009, who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Primary functional outcomes included dysphonia, tracheostomy dependence, and gastrostomy tube dependence. Disease control and survival were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of 9 patients in the study group, 7 (78%) had advanced-stage disease. All 9 patients had negative margins after TORS, with no perioperative complications. Regional recurrence and local recurrence developed in 1 patient each. One patient died of disease. At last follow-up, 7 patients (78%) were tracheostomy free, and 7 (78%) were gastrostomy tube free. Conclusions: Transoral robotic surgery is a promising modality for resection of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. Transoral robotic surgery achieved functional laryngeal preservation in most patients with no complications.