title: Feasibility of robot-assisted neck dissections via a transaxillary and retroauricular ("TARA") approach in head and neck cancer: preliminary results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, robot-assisted neck dissection in thyroid cancer patients with lateral neck node metastasis has been demonstrated to be feasible. We realized the necessity of technical modification in order to apply robotic system to comprehensive neck dissection for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This study examined the feasibility and safety of transaxillary and retroauricular ("TARA") approach for robotic neck dissection in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four human cadaveric dissections were followed by robotic neck dissections in seven patients with oral cavity or laryngopharyngeal cancer through TARA incision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all cases, vital structures including major vessels and nerves were preserved. The numbers of retrieved lymph nodes in robotic neck dissections were comparable with those in conventional neck dissections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robotic neck dissection via TARA approach is a feasible and useful method with excellent cosmetic results for treating nodal metastasis in selected cases of head and neck squamous cell cancer.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Won Shik
authors: WS
authors: Kim
authors: Hyoung Shin
authors: HS
authors: Lee
authors: Sung Mi
authors: SM
authors: Kang
authors: Hyun Jun
authors: HJ
authors: Hong
authors: Yoon Woo
authors: YW
authors: Koh
authors: Hye Yeon
authors: HY
authors: Lee
authors: Hong-Shik
authors: HS
authors: Choi
authors: Eun Chang
authors: EC
authors: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult