Transoral single-port robotic surgery for benign or early stage malignant tumors of pharynx and larynx - a prospective real-world study from mainland China

BACKGROUND: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a minimally invasive approach for treating early-stage malignant or benign tumors of the pharynx and larynx. This study represents the first real-world, single-arm, early feasibility evaluation of clinical performance and perioperative safety of da Vinci Single-Port (SP) for treating various benign or early-stage malignant tumors of the pharynx and larynx in Mainland Chinese population. METHOD: A real-world, single-arm, single-center, early feasibility study (ChiCTR2300078809) enrolled 15 patients with a heterogeneous benign or early-stage malignant tumors of pharynx and larynx, who received da Vinci single port-assisted transoral robotic surgery (SP-TORS) from July 2023 to May 2024. The primary endpoint was intraoperative conversion rate, and the secondary endpoints included intraoperative bleeding, surgical duration, length of stay (LOS), ICU admission, postoperative pain score (VAS) and recovery of swallowing functions (MDADI). RESULTS: All 15 patients successfully completed SP-TORS without intraoperative conversion, ICU admission, intraoperative or postoperative massive bleeding. The median intraoperative bleeding volume and surgical duration were 5 ml and 60 min, respectively. The median LOS was 4 days with relatively low postoperative VAS. MDADI indicated all patients significantly recovered swallowing functions 1 month after surgery. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary institutional experience demonstrated clinical feasibility and acceptable perioperative safety for treating early-stage malignant or benign tumors of the pharynx and larynx in the Mainland Chinese population through SP-assisted transoral robotic surgeries.